Texas Tax Incentives
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Texas Tax Incentives
Page Contents
- Apprenticeship Programs
- Assistive Technology Device Loans
- Business Enterprise of Texas
- Demonstration Centers
- Device and Equipment Recycling
- Self-Sufficiency Fund
- Skills Development Fund
- Skills for Small Business
- Skills for Veterans
- Texas Franchise Tax Credit for Hiring People with Disabilities
- Temporary Assistance For Needy Families
- Texas Assistive Technology Resources
- Texas Economic Development Council
- Texas Enterprise Fund
- Texas Enterprise Zone Program
- Vocational Rehabilitation for Persons with Physical and Mental Disabilities
Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly-skilled occupation. Apprenticeship programs are sponsored by joint employer and labor groups, individual employers, or employer associations.
An apprentice could be someone with a disability who needs specialized job training to obtain gainful employment.
Assistive Technology Device Loans
When individuals with disabilities, their families, and qualified professionals are able to borrow Assistive Technology devices and assess them in the individual's normal environments, they are then better able to determine if the devices meet their needs or the needs of individuals with disabilities they are serving. They are then able to make informed choices about what assistive technology to purchase.
Business Enterprise of Texas (BET)
The Business Enterprises of Texas (BET) is a federally sponsored, state-administered program that provides food management opportunities for Texans who are blind. Some of the food managing services are: vending machines, deli-style operations, snack bars and full-service cafeteria. All equipment, installation, furniture, design assistance and management services are provided to the employer at no cost.
Demonstration Centers
The Texas Technology Access Program supports a statewide network of assistive technology demonstration centers to provide general assistive technology, computer access, and portable computer access demonstrations. The demonstrations are available to consumers and their family members, as well as advocates, employers, and educators.
Device and Equipment Recycling
Project MEND, Inc. is a non-profit medical equipment re-utilization program operating in San Antonio, Texas. It provides refurbished equipment through long-term loans to many low-income persons with disabilities who can demonstrate financial need. The loan period is set for a period as long as the individual continues to need the equipment.
Self-Sufficiency Fund
The Self Sufficiency Fund provides training grants for industry recognized certificates and credentials that lead to permanent full-time employment for adult recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and individuals earning less than $37,000 annually with a dependent child (custodial or noncustodial) or an individual at risk of becoming dependent on public assistance.
Persons with disabilities are frequently the recipients of the public assistance system. With this fund, someone with a disability can get the job training he/she needs to obtain gainful employment.
Private Partner Information Form PDF
Self-Sufficiency Application Submission Guidelines PDF
Self-Sufficiency Application Guidelines DOC
Skills Development Fund
The Skills Development Fund program assists businesses and trade unions by financing the design and implementation of customized job training projects. This fund successfully merges business needs and local customized training opportunities into a winning formula to increase the skills level and wages of the Texas workforce.
Skills for Small Business
Through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Skills for Small Business program, up to $2 million from the Skills Development Fund is dedicated to the backbone of the Texas' business community—our small employers. Small businesses can apply to TWC for training offered by their local community or technical college, or the Texas Engineering Extension Service. TWC processes the applications and works with the college to fund the specific courses selected by businesses for their employees.
This program can help employees of small businesses, including those who have disabilities, obtain the education they need to succeed in their occupations.
Program Application Instructions PDF
Skills for Veterans
The Workforce Commission Skills for Veterans initiative dedicates $1 million from the Skills Development Fund to address the training needs of post-9/11 veterans returning home and entering the Texas workforce. This program will enhance the skills of veterans, which will benefit Texas employers. Employers who hire these vets, especially those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn or Operation Enduring Freedom, may be eligible to participate in this training opportunity.
Skills Veterans Initiative Overview Application Instructions PDF
Skills Veterans Initiatives Application DOCX
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) State Tax Refund
The State of Texas Tax Refund for Employers of TANF or Medicaid Clients is another tax benefit for employers. To qualify, an employer must:
- Pay certain State of Texas taxes
- Have paid wages during the first year of employment to a Texas resident who received at least one month of TANF or Medicaid benefits within six months of the employee start date
- Have provided and paid part of a qualifying employee’s Health Maintenance Organization health plan, self-funded or self-insured ERISA plan, or a health plan approved by the Texas Commissioner of Insurance
Under the State of Texas Tax Refund for Employers of TANF or Medicaid Clients program, an employer may receive a refund of up to $2,000 for each qualifying employee hired
The worker that an employer hires to qualify for this refund could be someone with a disability who is a recipient of Medicaid or TANF.
Employer Application for Refund of Taxes Paid to the State of Texas PDF
Texas Assistive Technology Resources
Assistive technology is any device that enables a person with a disability to be more functional. Using the proper technology at work will allow a disabled person to be more productive, and in turn, a better worker.
The Texas Center for Disability Studies at the University of Texas (Austin) has information on how to obtain assistive technology for people with disabilities.
More information on assistive technology.
Texas Economic Development Council
The Texas Economic Development Council is an Austin-based, statewide, non-profit professional association dedicated to the development of economic and employment opportunities in Texas.
Texas Enterprise Fund
The Texas Enterprise Fund provides the state’s leaders with a “deal closing fund” that has the flexibility and financial resources to help strengthen the state’s economy. The fund can be used for a variety of economic development projects including infrastructure and community development, job training programs and business incentives. Before funds can be awarded, the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker must unanimously agree to support the use of the Texas Enterprise Fund for each specific project.
The Texas Enterprise Fund is used primarily to attract new business to the state or assist with the substantial expansion of an existing business as part of competitive recruitment. State leadership will also be able to use Enterprise funds to leverage other resources for an economic development project.
The job creation generated by this fund could mean increased employment opportunities for workers with disabilities.
Texas Enterprise Fund Application DOC
Texas Enterprise Zone Program
The Texas Enterprise Zone Program is an economic development tool for local communities to partner with the State of Texas to promote job creation and significant private investment that will assist economically distressed areas of the state. Approved projects are eligible to apply for state sales and use tax refunds on qualified expenditures. The level and amount of refund is related to the capital investment and jobs created at the qualified business site.
Some of the jobs created as a result of this program could be occupied by workers with disabilities.
Texas Enterprise Zone Overview DOC
Vocational Rehabilitation for Persons with Physical and Mental Disabilities
The Vocational Rehabilitation Program helps people who have physical or mental disabilities prepare for, find or keep employment. Gaining skills needed for a career, learning how to prepare for a job interview or getting the accommodations needed to stay employed are just a few of the ways this program helps people with disabilities increase productivity and independence.
Vocational Rehabilitation Program: A Guide for Applicants PDF.
