In late 2022, Representative David Steffen reached out to Beyond Vision to brainstorm possible legislation to minimize barriers to employment for people who are blind or visually impaired. We produced the idea of a transportation tax credit. And he turned that idea into a bill! Beyond Vision works to build a career runway for people with vision loss to land or takeoff. Getting to and from work can be the most difficult part of having a job as a person who is blind. We are proud to have led the advocacy for WI Assembly Bill 408 to provide a tax credit for people who are legally blind to cover part of their work-related transportation costs! Many thanks to Representative Steffen and Senator Hutton for drafting this bill!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 20, 2024
Contact: Rep. Steffen (608) 237-9104
Bipartisan legislation provides transportation tax credit for workers who are blind Madison, WI – Today, the State Assembly passed bipartisan legislation that will create a transportation tax credit for people who are legally blind to help cover the costs of getting to and from work. State Representative David Steffen (R-Howard) and State Senator Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield) authored the bill, which passed the Senate last month. Roughly 70% of individuals with visual impairments are unemployed. Assembly Bill 408 will help combat the transportation barrier to employment within this community.
“Getting to and from work isn’t something most people think of as a luxury, but for those who are blind—just getting to work can be a major challenge. The expenses that come with obtaining safe and reliable transportation services can be cost prohibitive, forcing many members of this community to keep their talents and skills on the workforce sidelines. This bill recognizes the valuable abilities of those who are legally blind and will reduce their financial burden of getting to and from work,” said Rep. Steffen.
The legislation creates a non-refundable tax credit for individuals who are legally blind (as defined by the IRS) to cover up to 50% of their work-related transportation costs. The credit is capped at $1,500 per tax year. The bill is supported by advocates at Beyond Vision, WI Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, as well as the Wisconsin Economic Development Association.
Already having cleared the State Senate, the bill is now available for the Governor’s signature.
For more information, please contact the office of Representative Steffen at (608)237-9104 or Rep.Steffen@legis.wisconsin.gov.
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Read the bill here: Working Blind Tax Credit