New Tax Benefits for ADA Website Accommodations
There are some new tax benefits for ADA website accommodations that help small businesses offset the cost of making their websites ADA-compliant. And they can mean slashing your tax bill by thousands of dollars.
The importance of ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities in all aspects of life, including the digital realm, has gained significant attention in recent years. This includes websites.
Making website accessibility accommodations is an investment, but lawsuits and fines can be costly if your website is found to be inaccessible.
The good news is that help and relief are available! You don’t have to figure it out on your own.
What Are ADA Website Accommodations?
ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is a civil rights law enacted in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, education, transportation, and public accommodations.
The ADA aims to ensure equal access and opportunities for people with disabilities by requiring businesses, government agencies, and other entities to provide reasonable accommodations and remove barriers to accessibility.
ADA website accommodations refer to the modifications and enhancements made to websites to ensure that individuals with disabilities such as visual or hearing impairments can easily navigate and use them.
This includes implementing design and functionality features such as:
- alternative text (alt text) for images
- keyboard navigation options
- written captions for videos and audio files
- compatibility with screen readers
- descriptive anchor text for hyperlinks
- accessible fonts
- sufficient color contrast
- “skip navigation” links
- form field descriptions and validations
By making these accommodations, you are providing equal access to your online content and services for all users, regardless of their abilities. And your compliance with ADA requirements are protecting you from potential consequences as well.
What Are the Consequences for Websites that Are Not ADA-Compliant?
Failure to make a website ADA-compliant can have serious consequences for businesses. In addition to falling short on the ethical obligation of ensuring equal access for individuals with disabilities, non-compliance with ADA guidelines also can result in legal liabilities. This can include lawsuits, fines, and damage to brand reputation.
With the rise in ADA-related litigation, businesses are increasingly at risk of facing legal action if their websites are not accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Who Qualifies for the ADA Tax Credit?
The ADA tax credit is available to businesses that incur expenses for making their facilities — including websites — accessible to individuals with disabilities. Eligible businesses include those with gross receipts of less than $1 million or fewer than 30 full-time employees in the previous tax year.
To qualify for the tax credit, businesses must incur eligible expenses for ADA compliance, such as website modifications, barrier removal, and accessibility training for staff.
How to Apply for the ADA Tax Credit
To claim the ADA tax credit, you must complete IRS Form 8826, Disabled Access Credit, and attach it to your tax return.
The amount of the tax credit is equal to 50% of eligible expenses incurred during the tax year, up to a maximum expense amount of $10,000. Therefore, the maximum tax credit is $5,000.
It's important to keep detailed records of all expenses and documentation to support the claim. Be sure to consult with your tax preparer for full details and help with applying for this tax credit.
How WorldLight Media Can Help
At WorldLight Media, we specialize in creating ADA-compliant websites that prioritize accessibility and inclusivity for all users.
Our team of experienced web developers and designers can assess your website for ADA compliance, identify areas for improvement, and implement necessary modifications to ensure compliance with ADA guidelines.
We'll work closely with you every step of the way to make your website accessible to individuals with disabilities … protecting you from the liability of non-compliance.
Get Help Now to Make Your Website ADA-Compliant
Don't wait until it's too late to address ADA compliance for your website. Contact WorldLight Media today to schedule a comprehensive ADA website audit and take proactive steps to ensure your website is accessible to all users.
Our team is here to support you and simplify the process of making your website inclusive, accessible, and compliant with ADA guidelines.
We invite you to get in touch today to start that conversation.
Call us at (559) 9-DESIGN, or you can click here to use our convenient online form to ask for more information.
