There are a variety of state and federal tax incentives available to businesses for hiring youth with disabilities.

New York Youth Jobs Program - This NYS Dept. of Taxation and Finance website explains eligbility and refundable credits.

Empire State Apprenticeship Tax Credit (ESATC) - The ESATC fact sheet explains how eligible employers with tax credits against New York State income or franchise tax for registering new qualified apprentices on or after January 1, 2018 can receive up to $6,000 for each apprentice.

Workers with Disabilities Tax Credit Program - This program provides tax credits to for-profit businesses/organizations that hire individuals with developmental disabilities. The maximum tax credit is $5,000 for full-time employment and $2,500 for part-time employment.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit - The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is designed to promote the hiring of individuals with barriers to employment. Businesses can save anywhere from $2,400 - $4,000 per employee depending on the individual hired.

Disabled Access Credit - You may be eligible for this credit if you spent any money on making your business more accessible to people with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in public places, like businesses, workplaces, and transportation. To comply with ADA guidelines, businesses may need to spend money making their buildings more accommodating and accessible. The IRS provides the disabled access credit, or ADA tax credit, to offset these costs.

Architectural Barrier Removal Tax Deduction - Encourages businesses of any size to remove architectural and transportation barriers to the mobility of persons with disabilities and the elderly. Businesses may claim a deduction of up to $15,000 a year for qualified expenses for items that normally must be capitalized.

Federal Bonding Program - The information sheet explains that the Federal Bonding Program is a no-cost hiring incentive that protects your business from any loss of money, property, or product due to an act of employee dishonesty. The program allows businesses risk-free time to establish and build trust with new hires. Coverage ranges from $5,000 - $25,000.

Returning Heroes Tax Credit - This fact sheet explains how this tax credit provides incentives of up to $5,600 for hiring unemployed veterans, and the Wounded Warriors Tax Credit doubles the existing Work Opportunity Tax Credit for long-term unemployed veterans with service-connected disabilities, up to $9,600.

Additional Resources and Information