Access Technology Affordability Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-212
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2021-02-03
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Disability and paralysis

Health care costs and insurance

Health technology, devices, supplies

Hearing, speech, and vision care

Income tax credits

Inflation and prices
Latest action: action_date: 2021-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-02-03
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Access Technology Affordability Act of 2021</b></p> <p>This bill allows a refundable tax credit equal to the amounts paid for qualified access technology for use by a blind individual who is the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or a dependent of the taxpayer. <i>Qualified access technology</i> is hardware, software, or other information technology with the primary function of converting or adapting information that is visually represented into forms or formats useable by blind individuals. </p> <p>The credit is limited to (1) costs that are not compensated by insurance or otherwise, and (2) an aggregate amount of $2,000 per blind individual in any period of three consecutive taxable years. The credit must be adjusted for inflation after 2022 and terminates after 2026. </p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 212 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 3, 2021 Mr. Cardin (for himself, Mr. Boozman , Mr. Wyden , Mr. Burr , and Mr. Tester ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a refundable tax credit against income tax for the purchase of qualified access technology for the blind.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Access Technology Affordability Act of 2021 . 2. Credit for qualified access technology for the blind (a) In general Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 36B the following new section: 36C. Credit for qualified access technology for the blind (a) Allowance of credit There shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle an amount equal to amounts paid or incurred during the taxable year, not compensated for by insurance or otherwise, by the taxpayer for qualified access technology for use by a qualified blind individual who is the taxpayer, the taxpayer’s spouse, or any dependent (as defined in section 152) of the taxpayer. (b) Limitation The aggregate amount of the credit allowed under subsection (a) with respect to any qualified blind individual shall not exceed $2,000 in any 3-consecutive-taxable-year period. (c) Definitions For purposes of this section— (1) Qualified blind individual The term qualified blind individual means an individual who is blind within the meaning of section 63(f)(4). (2) Qualified access technology defined The term qualified access technology means hardware, software, or other information technology the primary function of which is to convert or adapt information which is visually represented into forms or formats useable by blind individuals. (d) Denial of double benefit No credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any expense for which a deduction or credit is allowed under any other provision of this chapter. (e) Inflation adjustment (1) In general In the case of a taxable year beginning after 2022, the $2,000 amount in subsection (b) shall be increased by an amount equal to— (A) such dollar amount, multiplied by (B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting calendar year 2021 for calendar year 2016 in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof. (2) Rounding If the amount as adjusted under subparagraph (A) is not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $100. (f) Termination This section shall not apply with respect to amounts paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026. . (b) Conforming amendments (1) Section 6211(b)(4)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting , 36C after 36B . (2) Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting , 36C after , 36B . (3) The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 36B the following new item: Sec. 36C. Credit for qualified access technology for the blind. . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021.