Web accessibility is an inclusive practice that helps to enhance your business’s bottom line while also shielding it from the rapidly rising number of expensive ADA lawsuits across the U.S. If that wasn’t enough incentive already, there’s now another reason: an IRS tax credit of up to $5,000 for prioritizing your website’s accessibility.
What’s an ADA Compliant Accessible Website?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil law enacted in 1990 to ensure people with disabilities can participate in all facets of society. All businesses and organizations open to the public are required to adhere to ADA standards. Those who fail to comply are considered to be excluding those with disabilities and are vulnerable to costly discrimination lawsuits and legal fees.
When business owners think of ADA compliance, many imagine accessible parking spots or wheelchair ramps at brick-and-mortar locations. However, ADA compliance now applies to all public-facing websites.
To be considered an ADA compliant accessible website, a business needs to remove the online barriers to interaction faced by people with disabilities. There are many conditions that may affect one’s ability to navigate the endless and they are generally grouped into those with visual, hearing, motor skills, or cognitive impairments.
Hospitality businesses looking to satisfy ADA requirements need to design or modify their website according to official standards Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
The IRS Offers $5,000 for Website Accessibility with a Special Tax Credit
Just as a business would incur costs when installing a wheelchair ramp at their physical location to meet building accessibility requirements, there are also expenses associated with optimizing their website. To reward businesses who are doing their part, the IRS has an incredible tax credit of up to $5,000 for qualifying businesses with accessibility costs.
Under IRS Code Section 44, Disabled Access Credit, businesses that make accommodations to improve their level of accessibility can receive up to 50% of eligible expenses (up to a maximum of $5,000). This may allow your business to recoup a significant portion of expenses related to website ADA compliance. Claim the tax credit with IRS Form 8826 (Disabled Access Credit).
The requirements for the tax credit are simple:
- The accessibility expense needs to be between $250 and $10,000 for the taxable year.
- The business needs to have gross receipts of less than $1 million OR less than 30 full-time employees in the previous tax year.
The best part? This tax credit can be used every year by businesses that invest in their customers’ accessibility!
Ready to Make Your Website Accessible?
In addition to the plentiful benefits and protection from costly ADA lawsuits, business owners have yet another reason to invest in website accessibility. This IRS tax credit of up to $5,000 is just icing on the cake.
If your business has not yet engaged in website accessibility, this tax credit allows you to better expense and plan your path to ADA compliance. Whether creating a new website from scratch or modifying an existing one, working with certified technicians who understand official ADA requirements is the only way to achieve true accessibility.
Get the conversation started today with a complimentary website audit and a video review.
