The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
——————
PETITION OF:
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
——————
PETITION OF:
Susan C. Fargo
Jennifer M. Callahan
Garrett J. Bradley
William Lantigua
Kathi-Anne Reinstein
Matthew C. Patrick
Scott P. Brown
Barry R. Finegold
David Paul Linsky
John P. Fresolo
Robert K. Coughlin
John D. Keenan
Alice Hanlon Peisch
Robert L. Rice, Jr.
Joseph R. Driscoll
Michael E. Festa
William N. Brownsberger
Louis L. Kafka
Richard J. Ross
Tom Sannicandro
Thomas J. Calter
Steven A. Tolman
David M. Torrisi
Kay Khan
Carl M. Sciortino, Jr.
Steven M. Walsh
——————
In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.
——————
|
An Act establishing a tax credit for hiring individuals with autism spectrum disorders |
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 71B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
Section 16.
(i) For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
“Autistic Spectrum Disorders” shall include Asperger’s syndrome, pervasive developmental disability, not otherwise specified, autism, and high functioning autism.
“Duly licensed professional” shall include the following professionals licensed to practice in the commonwealth: medical doctor, psychologist and clinical social worker.
(ii) Employers who hire individuals with autistic spectrum disorders may take a tax credit of 50% of said employee’s gross wages earned in the first year of employment, 40% of said employee’s gross wages earned during the second year of employment, 30% of said employee’s gross wages paid in the third year of employment, 20% of said employee’s wages paid in the fourth year of employment and 10% of said employee’s gross wages paid in the fifth year of employment. Unused portions of the employer’s tax credit may be carried forward for 2 tax years after the qualifying tax year.
(iii) In order for an individual to qualify as an employee pursuant to this chapter, a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder must have been made by a duly licensed professional, qualified to make said diagnosis. A certified record of diagnosis submitted in accordance with section 79G of chapter 233 shall be adequate.
(iv) An employer which is a tax exempt organization may estimate the amount of tax credit for qualifying employees for the taxable year, as a credit against the employer’s matching portion of state taxes. The total amount of the estimated credit should be divided evenly over the number of periods for filing withholding returns.