Senate President Steve Sweeney on Friday introduced a bill, strongly supported by NJBIA, that would provide tax credits to businesses that employ the developmentally disabled.
The legislation would allow a credit against corporation business tax liability or gross income tax liability of 10% of the salary and wages paid to an employee with a developmental disability. The credit would be claimed annually for the same employee. It would be capped at $3,000 per worker, and the total credit would be capped at $60,000 per taxpayer, per year.
New Jersey already allows taxpayers to claim a credit for the employment of certain persons with disabilities at an occupational training center or sheltered workshop. The bill would allow a credit for any type of employment.
“NJBIA strongly supports this legislation providing tax credits to businesses which hire individuals with developmental disabilities, and we thank Senate President Sweeney for his sponsorship of the bill,” said NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka.
Siekerka said NJBIA has been a vocal proponent of advancing employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
“Many businesses have hired individuals with disabilities because of the great value they bring to their workforce. But certainly, more can be – and should be – done to enhance these opportunities. New Jersey needs to capitalize on the momentum in this space and we believe the use of tax credits to those who employ those in the IDD community will help continue this forward motion,” Siekerka said.
Sweeney noted only 20% of disabled people in the United States are employed, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The legislation, he said, would “open the doors of opportunity for those with disabilities, giving them the ability to gain the skills and experience to do the work they are fully capable of.”
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