I asked, but no one seems to know. It's mandatory to get a job for probation - and I'd like to know where Kevin will start looking. I'm already gathering applications (I have 16 so far!) so that he will have a head start.


Please, if anyone knows of those companies that hire felons for the tax creit they receive or just because they're a good company and believe in second chances.

Thanks!

Marci

hi marci. the only place i can suggest to you is "fortune society" they're not a job agency, but they do assist with former inmates, advocating for them within the prison, and assiting them with employment information. they are however, located in nyc. give them a call and maybe they can assist you, or direct you to something similar to them in your home state. good luck.

UPS! When I was working as a PO in Indianapolis I often referred my guys there and they usually hired them. It may be part-time, but they pay pretty good (it's warehouse work) and have a great tuition repayment plan. It seemed like they were always hiring because it was hard, physical work and a lot of people didn't stay very long. So give that a shot.

I don't know if canada forces people to work for probation and parole! But I do know that if your "sweets" was charge with any sort of sex offence! It'd be a miracle to actualy have one since most employers don't hire sex offenders! Usualy not mostly cause of vegence or the crime, but the bad publicity it'd give the company or orginisation! It's all about reputation in the business world! Even volunteering is really hard for Sex Offenders to get even though no children would be involved alot! People have ether revenge and hates them so much cause of that and probably know they can get away with it anyway! Or like I said, bad publicity! Just had to say that ;)

Steph

Marci,

Check the DOC's homepage in your state and see if they have an area for employment for ex-offenders. I know in our state they have an active data base that is coordinated with the Labor Department of all those businesses/organizations who are willing to hire ex-offenders!

That's awesome that you are getting a head-start!

Pam

Trey got hired at several locations after he was released from prison. He didn't stay long at any of them, because he didn't WANT to work (his choice, his fault), but he has worked through temp agencies, and they KNOW that he was in prison and will find places that the employeers will accept ex-cons. He has worked for a lumber company, construction, a catering company (cooking and doing dishes), resturants, and now he is working for his landlord fixing up properties and maintenance. It all depends on the ex-offender shows himself at the interview - if he goes in trying to defend himself, saying that he shouldn't have been in prison or whatever .... they might see him as a slacker, not accepting of responsibility. But if he goes to the interview or whatever and accepts that he made a mistake and wants nothing more than to prove himself out here in the free world by working hard at a job, they will be mroe accepting and willing to help him out. Good luck! :) There is something out there!! Pretty much any fast food place will hire cuz they need help, but it is not the best place for someone to work.

I think I would probably call a parole office in his area, and just say you're concerned, and are wanting to get a jump start, and do they have a list of companies.

UPS may seem like a good idea, but I have apllied a few times, and I only have one felony convition for larceny in the 3rd degree from 1995 and they still won't hire me.

The bottom line is this: once you have a criminal record, and I'm sure most ex-cons are like me having a record as long as their leg, you've screwed yourself. Ex-cons make up the largest disenfranchised group in the US. Unfortunatley, no laws have been passed (at least where I live, CT) to protect our rights after a period of time, say 5 years, has gone by. The sentence we get is for life. I would rather have served double my time than to get out and find out all this crap. I have lost jobs becuase of the past, and I have been denied apartments because of it, too.

Most people think it's not their problem, but if we can't work, and we can live anywhere, the natural course of thinking is to go back to crime.

Personally, I would recomment going to college. Once you hit the junior level in class, you can take out a student loan for up to $10,500. Take that money and put it in stock or an account like a Charles Schwabb One account. By the time you graduate, you will have enough to start a business, which is the best option for ex-cons.

p.s. If you do open your own business, try not to discriminate based on a record. Remember how it was for you.

P.O.s in CT are not much help. Mine is awesome in that she doesn't mess with me and genuinely seems to care, but doesn't have any clue as far as employment goes.

Another option is to lie on apps. I go by the philosophy (now) that I'd rather be employed and looking for work where I can be honest and face being fired by my current employer for lying if they ever check than to be unemployed.

I have also been modelling for colleges for the last 2 years, and they pay $15/hr average, non-taxed, and if you call enough schools, you can book a full work-week.

I gotta tell ya, I always advise my clients against lying on the app. If they run a criminal history, you're automatically out, where you may stand a chance if you're honest. A very good friend of mine was having the same trouble and lied on his app. Got a great job with a trucking company in NJ. Lo and behold, FOUR YEARS later, an old cellmate of his absconded from a half-way house and the State Troopers were contacting all of his former "associates" and went right to my friend's place of employment. Because he had lied on his application, his employer had no choice but to fire him. They told him if he had been honest on the app, they would have worked with him. Now he's out of a job - and a reference.

One thing I do advise is that on the section about explaining criminal history, you write "will explain at interview". It is easier to explain a mistake face to face. And, if someone won't hire you based soley on past mistakes, is that the kind of place you'd want to work anyway?

Another place to start is with the state unemployment office. Here in Mich. we have "MI Works" and they have case managers who work individually with you to develop your resume, etc. Our county has one worker in particular who works with released offenders and knows who will, and who won't, give folks a second chance.

Tracy

TOUGH TIMES...

what temp agencies did you go to?

TEIKO30

when you are applying for an apartment they have no right BY LAW to check criminal backrounda, I am in NY
so how would they know? they do not ask! I used to be a real estate agent and all we checked was credit history.

And I must also say that you have to think positive to make thngs work out positive, dont you think?

Found a link.

I hope this link works and you can use it to find employers. Click on the Company, and there main page. Most should have a page on Positions Available and such.
Doesnt hurt to look. Good luck.

http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Companies/Results.asp?lr=cbga_usa&siteid=gausa15&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=a140c2d5118741a98943f8f6b9c55e3c-112236139-rh-1

I was filing out an application for a temp ageny and it asked if I had ever been convicted of a misdemeanor of moral turpitude. What on earth is that?

here in Chicago it's state law for most businesses to run criminal background checks with the State Police department and for Landlords to do the same....

Personally from my experience I think it's best to be honest on your applications for the long run. Honest answers help me sort through the employers that would be wasting my time in a job search, that's how I see it. Other thing is that I don't expect it to be easy...we have a hard hard hard battle but we still gotta do the thing....

On the other hand, it's not even human to expect a man to be released and sit homeless on a curb and starve to death. You have to do what you have to do to get by to survive. I don't knock anybody hussle, unless I can give them a job or a better oppurtunity....


And regardless of what people say can't be done, people are doing it. Even known child molestors have good ass jobs without lieing...this is a fact....On the other hand it's hard for some people to make it with misdemeanors and apartment convictions.....Some employers don't hire because of bad credit depending on the job..and just so yall know....Alot of Credit Checks involve background checks now....hmmm..it's getting deep....

Entrepreneurship is the ticket....I don't care if you selling incents or ballons...I think alot of exoffenders have to think more about being self employed...cause all the effort and rejection with go through to find a work could be use to start our own businesses....and thats exactly what I'm in the process of doing....

Pain

Everyone!

Thanks so much for all of the great suggestions! Kevin does have a college degree, has worked as a youth counselor for years, but since all of these require criminal checks and you can't work them with a felony, he will need to choose something else - it's breaking his heart. He is planning on going back to college, he has only one yr left in seminary, seems that the "church world" is a bit more forgiving of a foolish mistake than the world is.

But right when he gets home, he will need to look for at least a part-time job (we're talking about moving back home to Ca within a year and need to put money away for the move), in addition to going to school. For his probation, he has to either be enrolled in college full time or working full time/college part time + working part time. Within 30 days. Gosh, it's hard for anyone to find a job in 30 days, let alone a felon!

Thanks again for all the help! God's Blessings!

Marci,
I had hoped that the counseling field would be pretty forgiving--with the attitude that if you have been through a lot you can help other people. Is that not the case? My husband is serving a 12 month sentence. He is working on his master's degree in chemical dependency counseling (he is a recovering alcoholic sober 12 months today) and hopes to get a job in that field when he gets out. Maybe chemical dependency counseling is more forgiving than other types of counseling. I hope he is not waisting his time and money.

Try something in construction, My brothers are bricklayers in oklahoma and they hire just about anyone and they don,t do background checks. There always hiring because it hard work and people most of the time do not stay.

In New York I know that there is a book that you can pick up at a library or you can order that is called the Connections 2002. A guide for ex-inmates to information sources in New York City City and Job Search.

To order the books you need to write to The New York Public Library, Institutional Library Services, 455 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016. For ex-inmates the books are free. The books are also free for any agencies that help ex inmates also. For anyone else there is a $15.00 fee. I hope this is helpful. Maybe public library around have a similar book.

Good LUCK!!!

i know k-mart is very lienent w/who they hire.
i knew this guy--brian. i kid you not but he literally had like 20 felonies (b4 3 strike law)...and was able 2 get a job. there. :hmm:

When you apply for an apartment, and they do a criminal backround check they have to ask your permision to check it, so you do not have it checked without you knowing it. YOU MUST SIGN FOR IT! TRUST ME!

the Connections 2002

who edited it or put it together?

The Connections 2002 were both written and edited by Stephan Likosky, Instiutional Librarian for The New York Public Library. It is sponsored by The New York Public Library's Office of Speical Services. Funding for Connections and The Job Search was dervied form a grant to serve State Correctional Facilities from the New York State Education Department, Divison of Libaray Development.

I will be looking this up next time I go, can he look it up in his library?

THANKS!

The best advice I ever got was to learn a trade. There are programs in the federal prison that will help you get basic skills. The fields where they don't care too much about felonies are: Electrician, Heating/ Air Conditioning Service (HVAC/R) and Auto Service Tech/ Auto Mechanic.

These jobs pay pretty well when permanent unemployment is the other option. The trick is getting some technical school training.

One option is to become active in your church. There are programs in the system that work, but churches are in the business of helping people solve problems. Most of us here are ready to work if only to get our lives back in order. People in the church are willing to give people a second chance if they see you honestly willing to make an effort.

My ex-wife really had problems finding a job as there aren't too many women felons compared to men. Everywhere she went they turned her down. It was through the church that she found people willing to give her a chance.

Good luck to everyone.

How about welding? I was talking to my man the other night and I discovered that he had some welding experience.

Blueviolet

Well most ex-felons got it tough once they get out. If there truely honest about there convictions then they get "sorry we filled the position already" thrown in there face.

Most employers now a days do background checks on some really low paying jobs like data entry.

Only places that do hire are landscapers, general contractors, fast food, and janitorial places.

That's why most ex felons go back to prison on a VOP (violation of parole). They can't find employment that can really pay there bills or they just give up.

Kevin knows nothing about welding, construction, etc. Since he's not in state prison, they don't have those programs. You can't even work until you're a "trustee", which hopefully he will bein 30 days if he gets no write ups. He can get a job in the kitvhen, around the grounds, or off campus (I see them in my town at the police dept washing the police cars. He'd really like an outside the jail job - mainly cuz he wants a cigarette! He needs to quit, and was planning on doing so before he went in - but he won't do it because it's being forced on him, it;s not his idea. I figure you go this long without, you might as well not start again (he gets cigs occasionally in there! )

His plan: He gets out April 1st (as it stands now). He has to get a job within 30 days (or be a full time student). Summer session starts May 10th, so we're hoping the probation dept will give him a break and an extra 10 days on the rule - then he'll start school. Since I'm a 100% disabled vet, my souse and kids get free college education (even my younger kids can go to private Christian school paid for!). Since he has 2 more yrs of seminary left, he plans on just taking basic classes, as the seminary he went to din't ive him this, only theology classes - so he needs to brush up on writing, spelling etc. He has a job offer from our old pastor in CA, so our plan is for Kev to attend school and we will bank most of his stipend (we can live on mine) . We'll move home about a year after he gets home (I figure thats how long it'll take to save the $4,500-$5000 to move.. ). His position will b part time youth pastor - the church will give us a home or apt and pay our health insurance. My income can take care of the rrest. He can then go to seminary classes (about an hr away)part time. I pray that God put this in my mind and it's not just me wishing - it's aGod's plan , those are the only ones that work.

Ok, enough of my novel. He is going to try for some of the places you've listed, he'd like a PT job while going to school, keeep as busy as posible - good idea. He hates being idle and he's going stir crazy now!
Thanks for all of your suggestions.

Blessings!

many men wont want jobs typically known for hs students , hard labor is key ,

tow trucks , lawn care . construction ,

Isn't that the truth in Tennessee its hard to find a job at all.

Anyone know any companies in GA that hire ex-convicts?

http://www.hirenetwork.org/who.html

Manpower is a worldwide temporary agency. I know a few guys coming out who got temporary work via Manpower and then the company they were sent to work hired them. Check them out at www.manpower.com [web site is only so-so].

I was released from federal prison this past summer. I have attended all of the classes, helped with Job Fairs(inside), and my job was a tutor for the job training counselor at the institution where I was incarcerated. So I know quite a good deal about programs etc.
First off, getting a job as an ex-felon is tough. You have already heard that from several people, so I will not dwell on that issue.
The companies that I know for a fact that have an active ex-felon program are, UPS, Home Depot, and Marriott. UPS will not always hire you (they turned me down). I didn't try at Home depot or Marriott. I had no problem getting a job in construction. The problem with that for me is I am getting older (47) and the hard physical labor takes a toll on me.
Learning a trade is a good thing. Also, starting your own business. You are correct in the area of churches; there are some churches that are willing to hire ex-felons as pastors etc. I personally know several.
Hope some of this helped.

my son works for verison as a 411 operator and he says they hire ex cons long as they are honest about their offense, it wouldn't hurt to try.

in Texas we have the Texas Worksource that help everybody find a job. Also alot of states including this one have alot of construction jobs that will higher them. Up north there are barges that will take them fresh out of prison.

UPS hires ex cons? I thought they wouldn't because of security reasons especially after 9-11. I tried to get a job with UPS at their hub here in Louisville and OMG, I spent 3 hours there filling out the application and going for the interview. They told me on the phone that I would need info for the past 10 years such as place of residences, employment, and schools. Well I got there, and they wanted all the schools that I went too starting from the 1st grade! They wanted the names, phone numbers, and mailing address as well as exact dates for everything. I didn't get the job though because I had trouble getting references from one of my past employers. The dates didn't match up go figure. Maybe they do hire ex cons, I dunno. But for those of you that want to apply or know someone that would, just be very prepared.

here in oregon they have a one stop program that is registered thru the employment dept. they fill out the paper work for the employer tax credit which is like 3,000 dollars for each felon hired. he was hired on the docks in the fishing industry, they know his background and has been no problem. these places are nortious for drug and alcohol abuse. his po has no problem with him working there becuz his po has a philosphy if you are going to use you can get dope anywhere especially in the town we live in. he does not have serious crimes old drug charges and petty theft. he probably could not get a job working around money or such. i have a record for controlled substance and i have never been denied a job anywhere, casinos, insurance offices, i think it really depends on what type of job he is looking for and what his background is. his po is just happy he found employment within a week of release. dont get discouraged. they did say at the one stop program not to give the tx credit info until after you are hired. he also signed with a temp agency planting trees and working in the forest, but he had already gotton the other job. just be honest on the application, dont worry you will find a job. take care

carol

A couple of things. Yes, UPS has an "official" policy of hiring ex-felons. I personally talked with the UPS employment rep at an institutional job fair. I also applied at the local UPS, mainly to get the medical coverage (you get that even working part time). I wasn't hired due to the physical requirements (I'm 47).
Re: The tax credit. Use that and the federal bonding program to help your self get the job. You do not have to wait till after you are hired!

How about waiter jobs? Do most restaurants run background checks in the Chicago area?

I do know of places that hire but im in california go to the parole office and they have someone assigne to help with your resume and setting interviews for you, well at least that is what they do in Los Angeles.

In New Jersey the State Dept. of Labor [DOL] now has at least one specialist at each of their locations who only works with those coming out of prison/jail who are on parole, probation or max out. This program [about one year old] has really helped to provide job leads, training programs [right at the DOL] and associated services. They also work to recruit more employers to hire ex-offenders.

The DOL now coordinates/collaborates with the DOC and the Parole Board - what a novel idea, huh?!!!! Well, you have to start somewhere, right?

I was filing out an application for a temp ageny and it asked if I had ever been convicted of a misdemeanor of moral turpitude. What on earth is that?
A misdemeanor involving moral turpitude is one that generally involves lying, cheating or stealing. For example a misdemeanor theft, passing a bad check etc.

tas

Hi everyone..I know I posted this a couple of months ago, but its worthy of posting again. There is a website www.narms.com it's the national association for retail marketing. Every state is listed, they hire temp to perm. and pay from $10/hr. to $140 a day. They don't do background checks, the catch is it's independant contract work, so your pay is not taxed, you are responsible at the end of the year. Most of these companies hire you to do "resets" at grocery or hardware stores, and their projects last one day to one year...a reset consists of going into a store and rearranging merchandise that is on the shelves, measuring shelves for accurate heights, lengths, making sure the shelf matches the plan o gram...if you can read and measure you can do this job. My son was released on Jan 20th, and started a full time position last week (he has 5 felonies) making $480.00 per week. I've been doing resets now for two years (b/c the money is good, the work is steady and my husband owns his own business so it's all written off at the end of the year). And remember, if they don't ask about your background, don't offer it!!! if you have a hard time navigating the NARMS website, please pm me and I'll help you as much as possible. Good luck.
Lisa

I have never been honest on my job application - I always say "no" to the felony question. That being said, I avoid a lot of big corporations and organizations.

I have a college degree and some decent white-collar experience, but I don't really have the aptitude to be a repairman. So, I have been stuck lately by the downturn in the economy.

I know 2 national jobs that people could get. One is a company called Marcone, which is an appliance parts distributor. They do drug test and they also will look at your employment background, but as long as you do not have any "pending" felonies they will probably hire you in their customer service department, warehouse, shipping section etc. It was boring work though....

The other is at a store called Crate and Barrel, which is quickly expanding around the USA. They do not do a felony or employment check, and they do not even drug test. It is a very liberal and friendly company, but they don't pay well and many of their employees are part-time and/or seasonal.

Hi...Been a while since I was on. Dealing with all the mess. My brother was finally sentenced, he took the plea bargain of 18 months in Federal. He's at Coleman Low. It's better than anywhere else he's been. He said that the "layover" in Atlanta was the worst. He is set to get out to a halfway house on December 15 of this year...I don'tknow how long he has to stay there.. Since President Bush made the announcement that all felons only get ONE year of probation, it at least made it easier in the long run, but what he's learned in Coleman is that once you check in with your probation officer upon release, and find a job, the probation officer will go to your job and let your employer know that they just hired a convicted felon. I'd be afraid not to reveal it. If the probation officer finds out that you were dishonest on your app. you can go right back into the system. I'm desperately searching for employment avenues for him now. He was convicted on charges of copyright infringement and obstruction of justice. It's not like it was a violent crime or anything....but, they sure make it easy to get sent right back to prison. If he DOESN'T get a job and can't pay child support, they'll put him in for that. What is he supposed to do?? Any help please... You can e mail me directly at kleiharkey@yahoo.com

Thanks in advance.

Kathy





I have never been honest on my job application - I always say "no" to the felony question. That being said, I avoid a lot of big corporations and organizations.

I have a college degree and some decent white-collar experience, but I don't really have the aptitude to be a repairman. So, I have been stuck lately by the downturn in the economy.

I know 2 national jobs that people could get. One is a company called Marcone, which is an appliance parts distributor. They do drug test and they also will look at your employment background, but as long as you do not have any "pending" felonies they will probably hire you in their customer service department, warehouse, shipping section etc. It was boring work though....

The other is at a store called Crate and Barrel, which is quickly expanding around the USA. They do not do a felony or employment check, and they do not even drug test. It is a very liberal and friendly company, but they don't pay well and many of their employees are part-time and/or seasonal.

I was filing out an application for a temp ageny and it asked if I had ever been convicted of a misdemeanor of moral turpitude. What on earth is that?
Haven't heard this one before:confused: Moral means according to accepted notion of right and wrong. Terpitude means depravity, baseness or vileness.

My birth name was Mack. Do you have family in Michigan or Texas?

If I may, most non-profit organizations pay min. wage for the majority of their positions offered. However, many of them will hire ex-offenders and felons. Each one has different standards and exclusions, but it is always better to try and when in doubt ask. Non-profits for the most part are not "career" jobs....they simply provide a steady income and extra experience while you're working toward a higher goal.

Just food for thought.... ;)

I have looked into a lot of these places...
Connection 2005-2006 for New York...but not only for NY, check your library website.
http://www.nypl.org/branch/services/connections/index.html
H.I.R.E...New York, but not only for NY, check the websit for all of USA>
http://www.hirenetwork.org/admin/clearinghouse.php?state_id=NY


how does this work? and for what offenders?
A. Federal Bonding Program
The Federal Bonding Program provides fidelity bonding insurance coverage to individuals with criminal histories and other high-risk job applicants who are qualified, but fail to get jobs because regular commercial bonding is denied due to their backgrounds.

B. Tax Credits
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit to reduce the federal tax liability of private for profit employers to be used as an incentive for employers to hire individuals from eight different targeted groups: TANF recipients, veterans, ex-felons, high risk youth, summer youth, Food Stamp recipients, SSI recipients, and vocational rehabilitation referrals.


in New York, there is also
Osborne Association

Strive

Wildcat

The Fortune Society

Episcopalsocialservices
Here are the links...

http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71133

That link is not only for NY.....

I looked into Narms...what do you look into there?
How do you get construction jobs?
Manpower hires them to do what? do they hire VO's?

http://www.doleta.gov/jobseekers/

Job seekers...

A-1 Temp here in in Florida hires felons. I know because although I am not a felon, I do have a drug mistameaner and I called and asked them, and they told me they hire people with felonys. And before the drug offence I worked for them for 5 years at different jobs. And most of them will hire you on after a certain amount of days,without the temp agency involved anymore. And if you happen to not like one of the jobs they send you to, all you gotta do is finish the day out, and let A-1 know you don't like it, and they will send you somewhere else. And another thing, you pretty much have to call early everyday to let them know you're available for work. I even worked at Discount Auto Parts through them making good money. So if you have an A-1 in your area, give them a try :thumbsup:
Oh ya, and you don't have to pay them anything to find you work :)

I forgot to add, also the Goodwill (donation store) , will also hire felons. The one in my town will anyway. I did my 50 community service hours there, and I asked the boss if they would hire felons and she said "of course we do, we let them work here doing community hours don't we?" LOL :D :thumbsup:

Because of the tax credit given to people who are ex-felons, more companies are specifically hiring these people. I found out that in Michigan (if not other states) there is an $8,500 tax credit given to companies that hire people who are Welfare recipients aged 18-24, 16-17 year-old displaced youths and ex-felons if it is within one year of their release date. I applied for a job with a company that hires these people and I didn't get hired (I didn't fit these categories- although they didn't tell me that was why). However, they hired 2 people I referred to them- both ex-felons. My ex-husband was hired 2 days out of jail. If you are in the Grand Rapids, MI area, I suggest applying at Troy Tech Staffing Services on 3-mile (near Alpine Ave). They have construction and manufacturing jobs along with computer jobs, sales jobs and several others. I am hoping my boyfriend will apply there before his 1 year is up in October. Once you've been out of prison over a year, these companies don't get the tax break. Keep in my mind some of these companies only give you one chance, so don't screw up with that employer. They just want that tax-credit the first year. My ex-husband started at $11 or $12/hour. Now he makes $15 an hour and gets medical insurance and I think some other benefits. But he gets plenty of overtime and pays his child support on time every week. Oh, they pay every Friday too. Here I am unemployed and I have less of a chance of getting hired there than an ex-felon! Hope this helps anyone in the G.R. Mich area. Good luck to all. I wish all of you willing to work hard the best. Please look to see if Troy Tech Staffing Services is a nationwide company. They may do this in other states too. If I find any more companies that hire ex-felons, I will definitely post new info. Thank you.

Jennifer:thumbsup:

many links are listed here not just for NY.

Links for resources (http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71133)

Hope that this may help you. I use to ask employers if they knew they could get the credit sometimes they were unaware of it and twice I got hired as a result of the credit.

Good Luck

Tax Incentives for Business
There are three tax incentives available to help employers offset the cost of accommodations for employees with disabilities and to make their places of business accessible.
Small Business Tax Credit: IRS Code Section 44, Disabled Access Credit

What is it? Small businesses may take an annual tax credit for making their businesses accessible to persons with disabilities.
Who is eligible? Small businesses that in the previous year earned a maximum of $1 million in revenue or had 30 or fewer full-time employees.
What is the amount? The credit is 50 percent of expenditures over $250, not to exceed $10,250, for a maximum benefit of $5,000. The credit amount is subtracted from the total tax liability.
What expenses are covered? The credit is available every year and can be used for a variety of costs such as:

sign language interpreters for employees or customers who have hearing impairments;
readers for employees or customers who have visual impairments;
the purchase of adaptive equipment or the modification of equipment;
the production of print materials in alternate formats (e.g., braille, audio tape, large print);
the removal of barriers, in buildings and transportation, that prevent a business from being accessible to, or usable by, individuals with disabilities.Expenses must be paid or incurred to enable a small business to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
What expenses are not covered? The tax credit does not apply to the costs of new construction, and a building being modified must have been placed in service before November 5, 1990.
How can this credit be claimed? Businesses can claim the Disabled Access Credit on IRS Form 8826.
Where can I obtain additional information?
Office of Associate Counsel, IRS
Passthrough & Special Industries
1111 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20224
(202)622-3110.
Architectural/Transportation Tax Deduction: IRS Code Section 190, Barrier Removal

What is it? Businesses may take an annual deduction for expenses incurred to remove physical, structural, and transportation barriers for persons with disabilities at the workplace.
Who is eligible? All businesses are eligible.
What is the amount? Businesses may take a tax deduction of up to $15,000 a year for expenses incurred to remove barriers for persons with disabilities. Amounts in excess of the $15,000 maximum annual deduction may be depreciated.
What expenses are covered? The deduction is available every year. It can be used for a variety of costs to make a facility or public transportation vehicle, owned or leased for use in the business, more accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. Examples include the cost of:

providing accessible parking spaces, ramps, and curb cuts;
providing telephones, water fountains, and restrooms which are accessible to persons using wheelchairs;
making walkways at least 48 inches wide.What expenses are not covered? The deduction may not be used for expenses incurred for new construction, or for a complete renovation of a facility or public transportation vehicle, or for the normal replacement of depreciable property.
May I use the tax credit and tax deduction together? Small businesses may use the credit and deduction together, if the expenses incurred qualify under both Sections 44 and 190. For example, if a business spent $12,000 for access adaptations, it would qualify for a $5,000 tax credit and a $7,000 tax deduction.
Are there limits on annual usage? Although both the tax credit and deduction may be used annually, if a business spends more than may be claimed in one year, it cannot carry over those expenses and claim a tax benefit in the next year.
How can this credit be deducted? The amount spent is subtracted from the total income of a business to establish its taxable income. In order for expenses to be deductible, accessibility standards established under the Section 190 regulations must be met.
Where can I obtain additional information?
Office of Associate Counsel, IRS
Passthrough & Special Industries
1111 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20224
(202)622-3110.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

What is it? The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) (http://www.uses.doleta.gov/wotcdata.asp), which replaced the Targeted Jobs Tax Credit (TJTC) program, provides a tax credit for employers who hire certain targeted low-income groups, including vocational rehabilitation referrals, former AFDC recipients, veterans, ex-felons, food stamp recipients, summer youth employees, and SSI recipients.
How does it apply to persons with disabilities? Employers who hire SSI recipients or certified vocational rehabilitation (VR) referrals and who meet all of the criteria described below may claim the WOTC.
A VR referral is certified by the State Employment Security Agency (SESA) as:

having a physical or mental disability resulting in a hindrance to employment, and
referred to an employer upon completion of or while receiving rehabilitative services, pursuant to the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. What is the amount? An employer may take a tax credit of up to 40 percent of the first $6,000, or up to $2,400, in wages paid during the first 12 months for each new hire.
What are the effective dates? This program is subject to yearly Congressional renewal. The tax credit is extended to December 31, 2005. The credit is also retroactive to December 31, 2003.
What are the Minimum Employment Requirements? Eligible employees must work 180 days or 400 hours; summer youth must work 20 days or 120 hours. A partial credit of 25 percent for certified employees who worked at least 120, but less than 400 hours may be claimed by the employer.
What agency provides the WOTC certification? The local State Employment Security Agency (SESA).
How do I file for this credit? Complete and submit IRS Form 8850, Pre-Screening Notice and Certification Request for the Work Opportunity and Welfare-to-Work Credits, to your local SESA.
How does it work?
The employer determines likely eligibility by including the WOTC Pre-Screening Notice as part of the application process.
On or before the day employment is offered, the Pre-Screening Notice must be signed by the employer and employee and mailed to the SESA within 21 days after the employee begins work.
The employer documents eligibility (based on information received from the employee) and submits documentation to the SESA.
SESA certifies which individuals are eligible for WOTC, and notifies the employer in writing for purposes of filing the tax credit.Where can I obtain IRS Form 8850?Call 800-829- 1040 (voice) or 800-829-4059 TTY or visit the IRS Website at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8850.pdf (http://www.dol.gov/cgi-bin/leave-dol.asp?exiturl=http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8850.pdf&exittitle=www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8850.pdf)
Where can I obtain additional information?
U.S. Department of Labor
Employment & Training Administration
1- 866-4-USA DOL or (202) 693-2786
TTY: 1-877-889-5627
or your local State Employment Security Agency