H.R. 1529: Access Technology Affordability Act of 2025
Sponsor
Mike Kelly
Republican · PA-16
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Feb 24, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Reading a screen shouldn't cost blind Americans thousands
Why it matters
A screen reader can run well over $1,000, and a refreshable Braille display can cost several thousand more — tools many blind Americans need just to read digital text, fill out a form, or do schoolwork. H.R. 1529 would create a refundable tax credit worth up to $2,000 every three years toward that technology. Because it is refundable, you could collect it even if you owe little or no federal income tax — which matters for the many blind working-age adults who are unemployed or low-income.
H.R. 1529, the Access Technology Affordability Act, creates a new refundable federal tax credit for technology built to make visual information usable for blind people — screen readers, Braille displays, and similar hardware or software.
You could claim the credit for yourself, your spouse, or a dependent who is blind under the tax code's definition. The total is capped at $2,000 for each blind person over any three-consecutive-year period. Because the credit is refundable, you could receive it as a refund even if you owe little or no federal income tax.
There are limits. You can't claim costs that insurance or another source already paid back, and you can't use the same purchase for this credit and another tax break at the same time.
The credit is also temporary. It would start with the 2026 tax year and end for costs paid in tax years beginning after 2030. After 2026, the $2,000 cap rises with inflation, rounded down to the nearest $100.
H.R. 1529 Bill Summary
What H.R. 1529 actually does.
Blind access tech earns a refundable tax credit
The bill creates a credit for technology built to convert visual information into a form blind people can use, and because it's refundable, you can collect it even if you owe no federal income tax.
Up to $2,000 every three years per blind person
The credit is capped at $2,000 for each qualified blind individual across any three-consecutive-year period — claimed in one year or spread out.
Covers a spouse or dependent, not just you
You can claim eligible costs for yourself, a blind spouse, or a blind dependent, so a parent buying a child's screen reader can use the credit.
Only blindness-specific tech qualifies
Eligible technology is hardware or software whose main purpose is converting visually presented information into a form blind users can read or hear. General-purpose devices don't qualify on their own.
No stacking with insurance or other tax breaks
Costs already reimbursed by insurance don't count, and the same expense can't be used for this credit and another federal deduction or credit.
Inflation-adjusted, but expires after 2030
After 2026 the $2,000 cap rises with inflation, rounded down to the nearest $100. The credit ends for costs paid in tax years beginning after 2030 unless Congress extends it.
Who benefits from H.R. 1529?
Blind adults buying their own access technology
If you replace or upgrade a screen reader or Braille display out of pocket, up to $2,000 back over three years offsets part of tools that can run into the thousands.
Parents of a blind child
A family covering a child's reading and schoolwork technology could claim the credit for that blind dependent.
Blind filers with little or no tax bill
Blind working-age adults have far lower employment rates than the general population. A nonrefundable credit would do nothing for many of them; this one pays out as a refund.
Students and job seekers who depend on assistive tech
The tools needed to read coursework, take exams, or fill out applications would get a partial cost offset.
Who is affected by H.R. 1529?
People whose technology was paid by insurance or a program
Reimbursed costs don't count, so only out-of-pocket eligible spending could be claimed.
Blind taxpayers with costs above the cap
Once you hit $2,000 in a three-year window, additional eligible spending in that period generates no further credit.
Filers weighing two tax breaks on one purchase
You would have to choose, because the same expense can't be used for this credit and another federal deduction or credit.
IRS refund and tax-prep systems
The agency would stand up a new refundable credit and begin processing claims with the 2026 tax year if the bill becomes law.
HR1529 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Feb 24, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
About the Sponsor
Mike Kelly
Republican, Pennsylvania's 16th congressional district · 15 years in Congress
Committees: Ways and Means
View full profile →
Cosponsors (72)
This bill has 72 cosponsors: 44 Democrats, 28 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 33 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, and 30 more.
Mike Thompson
Democrat · CA
Pete Sessions
Republican · TX
Kathy Castor
Democrat · FL
David Valadao
Republican · CA
Jim Costa
Democrat · CA
Mike Bost
Republican · IL
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Democrat · FL
Linda Sánchez
Democrat · CA
Jimmy Panetta
Democrat · CA
Marc Veasey
Democrat · TX
Michael Guest
Republican · MS
W. Steube
Republican · FL
Committee Sponsors
Ways and Means Committee
14 of 45 committee members cosponsored
20 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 1529 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Ways and Means
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Taxation
- Introduced
- Feb 24, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Feb 24, 2025
Official Sources
Official congressional bill page for the Access Technology Affordability Act of 2025, with text, sponsors, actions, and status.
The bill limits the credit to a 'qualified blind individual,' defined by cross-reference to the blindness standard in section 63(f)(4).
The bill amends section 1324(b)(2) so the refundable portion of the new credit can be paid out of the permanent refund appropriation.
IRS explainer on how refundable credits work — the design the bill uses so blind filers with little or no tax liability still benefit.
Official IRS hub for individual income tax credits and deductions, where a new section 36C credit would be administered if enacted.
IRS landing page covering existing federal tax provisions for blind and disabled taxpayers, the population this credit targets.
Official IRS guide summarizing credits, deductions, and income rules that apply to taxpayers who are blind or have a disability.
H.R. 1529 Common Questions
How much is the H.R. 1529 tax credit?
Up to $2,000 per blind person across any three-consecutive-year period. After 2026, that cap rises with inflation, rounded down to the nearest $100.
Is the H.R. 1529 credit refundable?
Yes. If it becomes law, you could collect the credit as a refund even if you owe little or no federal income tax — which is the point for low-income filers.
Who can claim the blind access technology credit?
You could claim eligible costs for yourself, a blind spouse, or a blind dependent, as long as that person meets the tax code's definition of blindness.
What technology would qualify under H.R. 1529?
Hardware or software whose main purpose is turning visual information into a form blind users can read or hear — think screen readers and refreshable Braille displays.
Can I claim the credit if insurance paid for the device?
No. The bill excludes any cost that insurance or another source already reimbursed. Only your out-of-pocket spending counts.
Can I use the same purchase for this credit and another tax break?
No. The bill bars using the same expense for this credit and another federal deduction or credit — you'd have to pick one.
When would the H.R. 1529 credit start and end?
It would apply to the 2026 tax year through 2030, ending for costs paid in tax years beginning after 2030 unless Congress extends it.
Will H.R. 1529 pass?
It has 72 bipartisan cosponsors but is still in the House Ways and Means Committee. Standalone tax credits like this usually advance only inside a larger tax package.
Based on H.R. 1529 bill text
H.R. 1529 Bill Text
“To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a refundable tax credit against income tax for the purchase of qualified access technology for the blind.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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