Number: RS20555
Title: Additional Standard Tax Deduction for the Blind: A Description and Assessment
Authors: Pamela J. Jackson,, Government and Finance Division; Jennifer Teefy, Knowledge Services Group 
Abstract: In the Revenue Act of 1943, a special $500 income tax deduction was first permitted the blind for expenses directly associated with readers and guides. This deduction for expenses evolved to a $600 personal exemption in the Revenue Act of 1948 so that the blind did not forfeit use of the standard deduction and so that the tax benefit could be reflected directly in the withholding tables. Congress attempted to target the tax benefit to low- and moderate-income blind individuals by replacing the tax exemption with an additional standard deduction amount with passage of the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
Pages: 5
Date: May 7, 2008