“If you use the same software every year, your data will often be transferred from the previous year,” Martin said. “But with the software we use at United Way, you don`t remember that you`re blind for any reason. So make sure you check this box every year, even if other information such as your address and registration status is filled in automatically. “When you file your federal tax return (and you file it, right?), you may come across line 39a asking you to check a box if you or your spouse are blind. In 2005, Daniel Engber of Slate investigated why blind people benefit from this tax break: Legal blindness entitles tax filers to lower tax liability, under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax law. The decrease in tax payable results from the increase in the individual deduction or the standard deduction, depending on what the filer claims. The same deduction increase applies to persons or spouses who are blind or over 65 years of age. The tax deduction for persons who are legally blind is an increase in the regular deduction. It is intended to offset some of the additional costs associated with blindness, was introduced nearly 80 years ago by the Revenue Act of 1943 (page 36). The IRS defines legal blindness as not being able to see better than 20/200 in your best eye, even with prescription glasses or contacts, or with a field of view below 20 degrees. The return must be certified by a licensed optician or ophthalmologist and must be attached to your tax return. The state of blindness must be determined no later than the last calendar day of a year. Read the rest of the article here.

Interestingly, the Blind Liberation Act was passed in 1943 against President Roosevelt`s veto, in part out of gratitude for the work done by blind individuals in the defense industry. If you are blind and over 65, your savings will increase. Married claimants also benefit from this deduction if one or both spouses are visually impaired. For 2020, $1,650 is the additional amount of the taxpayer blind deduction for individuals who file as singles. For married individuals filing a joint return with a blind spouse, the additional deduction was $1,300. The additional deduction was $2,600 for both blind spouses. Then you need to receive a letter from your ophthalmologist. This written statement confirms that you meet the legal definition of blindness described above. For the 2020 tax year, the law-blind tax deduction is: Foley said a higher standard tax deduction is how Uncle Sam recognizes these costs. “It was the first time the government realized that blind people had extra expenses,” said Foley, who also practices as a tax lawyer with more than 30 years of experience as a blind lawyer.

“It`s a way to offset those costs.” The Social Security Act of 1935 included a special provision for “assistance to the blind”, the National Federation of the Blind was established in 1940, and an influx of blind veterans had increased concern. The tax breaks were intended to reduce the higher cost of living for the blind. People who were blind were more likely to hire guides, readers and taxis. And they often had to live closer to work, which meant they often paid higher rents. […] In box 12 of tax form 1040, blind tax filers can claim clear deductions. This results in a larger tax break that allows you to deduct a larger standard tax deduction from your adjusted gross income. The end of the calendar year determines the state of vision according to the IRS definition of a blind taxpayer. The increased deduction for blindness is granted regardless of age. The dollar amount of the increase is the same for partially and completely blind taxpayers.

Transportation to and from a doctor`s office, prescriptions, insurance premiums and tests are examples of accepted medical deduction costs. The disability-related elements that apply to blind tax filers are: Taxpayers who are blind are defined by the IRS in Publication 501. Partially blind taxpayers must attach a letter from their doctor stating that even with glasses or contact lenses, they cannot see better than 20/200 of their best eye, or that their field of vision is 20 degrees or less. If this letter indicates that the taxpayer`s vision will never improve, no further letter needs to be sent, and only a reference to the original letter must be included in future tax returns. Otherwise, the IRS will require a new letter every year. Persons aged 65 and over are also entitled to a similar tax deduction. If you are blind and over 65, you can stack these prints and qualify for both. The IRS offers free programs in municipalities across the country that allow you to file your tax return before the April 15 deadline and take advantage of these tax benefits. Applicants must check the appropriate box for taxpayers who are blind to the left of the Standard Deduction – Age Blindness heading.

Since a blind taxpayer receives an additional deduction beyond the standard deduction, they must file it with Form 1040 or 1040 SR. You must be considered legally blind on the last day of the previous year to receive the deduction. If you have a disability, you may be eligible for other tax relief, including the Income Tax Credit (EITC) and amortization of medical expenses. For more information, see IRS Publication 3966. Anyone with a field of vision of 20 degrees or less, who wears corrective glasses but whose vision is 20/200 or less in their best eye, or who has no vision at all, meets the legal definition of blindness and is entitled to certain tax deductions. The Social Security Act of 1935 introduced financial assistance for the blind. This was likely due to an increasing number of blind people in the country, as wounded veterans of World War I returned home after the campaign. The National Federation of the Blind was founded in 1940. The special exemption for the blind has created some resentment among people with other disabilities. In the 1970s, Hawaiian Senator Daniel Inouye tried several times, unsuccessfully, to introduce a special exception for the deaf. Far be it from me to deny that blind people face difficulties that others do not.

But helping blind people through tax legislation has its drawbacks: because it is a deduction, it only helps those who have a positive tax liability. There is no difference between the degrees of blindness or when someone went blind. The combined deduction for blind and elderly persons on line 39a reduced federal tax revenues by $2 billion in fiscal year 2008. The law allows you to deduct what you spend to prevent, diagnose or treat a disease, as well as any costs associated with your blindness or visual impairment. As with any taxpayer, the sum of the two types of medical expenses must be greater than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income in 2021 before you can claim a medical expense deduction. The government uses a specific definition of blindness to determine eligibility for job training, rehabilitation, disability benefits and, yes, tax breaks. There are a few steps you need to take to claim the tax deduction for the blind under the law: Martin — who was born blind and has supported hundreds of visually impaired people over the past 10 years — noted that if you`re preparing your own tax returns using online software, keep in mind that you may need to confirm your blind status each year. The designation as legally blind must appear on Form IRS 1040 on line 39a or 1040A on line 23a. Blind tax filers are not allowed to use Form 1040EZ to receive a higher deduction. The amount of the deduction is deducted from the applicant`s gross annual income (AGI), which reduces the amount of money on which taxes must be paid.

Blind filers who are over 65 years of age or who are married to a blind person or over 65 years of age are entitled to additional deductions. Martin said it`s important to note that a higher deduction is not the same as a tax credit, which is a tax reduction payable. In other words, a credit is deducted from the taxes you owe, while a deduction makes your income appear smaller to the IRS, reducing your tax liability. However, if your tax liability is low, Martin added, saying the blind deduction of your tax refund can give a modest boost. The minimum amount requirements do not apply to blind applicants, nor does the suspension of expenses for non-reimbursed employees.