Debated in Parliament on 6 Aug 2024.
Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) whether the Ministry will consider increasing the Earned Income Relief granted to persons with disabilities (PWDs) to encourage more PWDs to work and aspire towards higher wages; and (b) whether expenses incurred by PWDs for the acquisition and maintenance of assistive technology can be included as a tax-deductible expense.
The Government is committed to helping persons with disabilities lead fulfilling lives. For persons with disabilities who are able to work, we want to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for them to be gainfully employed.
Today, persons with disabilities are eligible for a higher Earned Income Relief (EIR). The Handicapped EIR ranges from $4,000 to $12,000, depending on the age group. In addition, there are various schemes which support the employment of persons with disabilities. These include the Enabling Employment Credit, which provides wage offsets, and the Open Door Programme, which provides grants and employment support services to persons with disabilities and their employers.
SG Enable works with partners, such as the Autism Resource Centre and the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS), to provide up to one year of job matching, training and other support services for persons with disabilities. In 2023, SG Enable also launched the Enabling Business Hub, which seeks to bring training and employment opportunities closer to the homes of persons with disabilities.
Generally, personal expenses, including costs incurred on assistive technology, are not tax-deductible. Nonetheless, the Government supports persons with disabilities in acquiring and maintaining assistive technology to improve their quality of life. Eligible persons with disabilities from lower- and middle-income families can tap on the Assistive Technology Fund and receive subsidies of up to 90% of the cost of the required equipment, subject to a lifetime cap of $40,000.
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