The Bureau of Internet Accessibility Reports IRS Will Provide $5,000 Tax Credit for Accessible Websites

Providence, RI, March 28, 2017 (Newswire.com) - The Bureau of Internet Accessibility is reporting that due to recent federal changes in website accessibility requirements, small businesses could be eligible for a $5,000 tax credit. The changes under IRS Code Section 44, Disabled Access Credit, indicate that small businesses can qualify for the tax credit by increasing their website accessibility and making other accommodations to make their business more accessible for persons with disabilities.

The Bureau of Internet Accessibility notes that the tax credit available should, in some cases, cover the efforts businesses make to comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. § 794 (d)). Originally enacted in 1998 by the United States Congress to cover federal agencies and then broadened in January 2017 to cover any organization that receives federal funding or does business with the government, the act requires agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. All federal agencies and companies with whom they do business must be compliant with these rules no later than January 2018.

The IRS guidelines indicate that all efforts to improve website accessibility are eligible for a 50 percent credit for any expenditures over $250, not to exceed $10,250, for a maximum benefit of $5,000. The credit can be subtracted from a business’ tax liability but it's recommended that companies applying for this credit confirm eligibility with their tax advisor.  Additional details found Here.

“When a website is designed and developed with accessibility in mind, it allows all individuals, including those with visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, neurological and other disabilities, the power to access the site with assistive technology,” says Mark Shapiro, President of the Bureau of Internet Accessibility. “We have a long and successful history of providing our clients from a wide array of industries with the assessments and remediation assistance they need to make their web presence accessible to all end users.”

For more information about the organization’s accessibility audits and to learn if a website is compliant, visit BoIA.org.

About the Bureau of Internet Accessibility

The Bureau of Internet Accessibility (BoIA) has been helping eliminate the accessibility digital divide since 2001. The organization’s reports, tools and services have assisted businesses in improving, maintaining and proving the accessibility of their websites. With services that include self-help tools, audits, training, remediation and implementation support, BoIA has the experience and expertise to ensure that accessibility efforts are worthwhile and successful. For more information, visit BoIA.org.

Media Contact:

Anne Smith
Phone: 401-830-0075
Email: anne@boia.org

Source: Bureau of Internet Accessibility