It’s always great when you come across new (and cool!) tools to help your clients. It’s even better when these resources also benefit the businesses that hire them.
BlueBadge
The first tool, BlueBadge, allows clients who are potentially eligible for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to display their eligibility directly on their resume without disclosing what category(ies) they fall into. Here’s how it works:
- The job seeker registers on a BlueBadge Partner Job Board.
- The job seeker then completes an online resume and a short WOTC survey.
- Qualified job seekers receive a BlueBadge designated resume, their own PIN, and a flyer to share with employers about the potential tax credit.
The best part is this service is that it’s absolutely free to clients. If you choose to share this tool, be sure to discuss first whether the client is comfortable with this level of disclosure.
To learn more, visit: www.synergipartners.com/bluebadge
Additional Tax Credits
In addition to the WOTC, employers may be eligible for other tax incentives for employing individuals with disabilities.
The Barrier Removal Tax Deduction encourages businesses of any size to remove architectural or transportation barriers by offering an annual deduction of $15K for qualified expenses.
The Disabled Tax Credit offers a non-refundable credit for small businesses that incur expenditures for the purpose of providing access to individuals with disabilities. This credit can be taken every year that access-related expenses are incurred. Both of these tax incentives can be used during the same year.
For more information on how you can educate your job seekers and employers, visit: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/tax-benefits-for-businesses-who-have-employees-with-disabilities.
OFCCP Employment Referral Resource Directory
The last resource is geared toward government and not-for-profit organizations. First, a little background…in order to increase the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities in Federal employment, Executive Order 13548 was signed in 2010. To keep in compliance with its outreach assistance commitment, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) developed an Employment Resource Referral Directory, that lists governmental and non-profit organizations that can assist in the hiring of qualified applicants by Federal contractors. This directory allows Federal contractors the ability to find connect with programs that serve veterans, individuals with disabilities, women and minority groups. In addition to facilitating contractor compliance in hiring, the directory is also meant to connect resource organizations with the contractor community.
If you are a non-profit or governmental agency and are interested in applying to be on this list, please visit: https://ofccp.dol-esa.gov/errd/
I hope you find these resources helpful. I have already distributed them to my team and we will definitely be making use of them!
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