Tax Deductions for People With Disabilities

Living with a disability may not be easy. But paying your taxes may be a little easier on your wallet. The tax deductions and credits available to a disabled person could limit your tax liability, eliminate it altogether, or result in the IRS owing you money.

Qualifying disabilities could be a physical or mental disability that limits your employment, or a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits your major life activities. If you are disabled, here are the tax deductions, credits, and exemptions to which you may be entitled:

Tax Deductions

If you are legally blind, you may qualify for a larger standard deduction. The amount of the deduction may depend on your age and whether you or someone else is claiming your deduction.

And if you have a physical or mental disability that limits your employment, you could be entitled to deduct your impairment-related work expenses. These expenses could be for care or other disability-related services either at or outside of your workplace that are necessary for you to do your job.

In addition, medical expenses like health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses not covered by insurance can be deducted from your taxes as a personal itemized deduction.

Tax Credits

There is also a tax credit available for the elderly or disabled. You may qualify for this credit if you are 65 and older or you are disabled, younger than 65, and retired on permanent and total disability.

You may also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, if you are working and have a low or moderate income.

Tax Exemptions

Many of the bills, payments, and expenses you have may be exempt from taxes. Certain disability-related payments like Veterans Administration disability benefits, Supplemental Security Income, and Social Security disability benefits are excluded from your taxable income.

To know exactly which deductions or credits you qualify for, or for help filing your taxes, you may want to talk to an experienced tax attorney near you.

Related Resources:

• Browse Tax Lawyers by Location (FindLaw Directory)
• More Information for People with Disabilities (IRS)
• Ten Ways to Lower Your Taxes (FindLaw)
• 5 Things a Tax Lawyer Can Do (That You Probably Can't) (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)