Residents of Destin with disabilities and their parents could qualify for a number of IRS tax credits and benefits.

Physically-Disabled Residents in Destin could recieve Tax Benefits from IRS

• Standard Deduction The Legally Blind may be entitled to higher deduction.
• Gross Income Specific disability payments, VA disability benefits, and SSI are excluded from gross income.
• Impairment-Related Work Expenses Employees who have a physical or mental disability limiting their employment may be able to claim business expenses in connection with their workplace. The expenses must be necessary for the taxpayer to work.
• Credit for the Elderly or Disabled This credit is generally available to certain taxpayers who are 65 and older as well as to certain disabled taxpayers who are younger than 65 and are retired on permanent and total disability.
• Medical Expenses If you itemize your deductions using Form 1040, Schedule A, you may be able to deduct medical expenses.See IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses.
• Earned Income Tax Credit EITC is available to disabled taxpayers as well as to the parents of a child with a disability.If you retired on disability, taxable benefits you receive under your employer’s disability retirement plan are considered earned income until you reach minimum retirement age. The EITC is a tax credit that not only reduces a taxpayer’s tax liability but may also result in a refund. Many working individuals with a disability who have no qualifying children, but are older than 25 and younger than 65 do — in fact — qualify for EITC. Additionally, if the taxpayer’s child is disabled, the age limitation for the EITC is waived. The EITC has no effect on certain public benefits. Any refund you receive because of the EITC will not be considered income when determining whether you are eligible for benefit programs such as Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid.
• Child or Dependent Care Credit Taxpayers who pay someone to care for their dependent or spouse so they can work or look for work may be entitled to claim this credit.There is no age limit if the taxpayer’s spouse or dependent is unable to care for themselves.

For more information on tax credits for Persons with Disabilities please visit the IRS website at irs.gov

DISABILITY: In Destin, among people at least five years old in 2005-2009, a very small percent reported a disability. The likelihood of having a disability varied by age – from percent of people 5 to 15 years old, to percent of people 16 to 64 years old, and to percent of those 65 and older.