Most PA Schools Under-Fund Special Education

"Most school districts in Pennsylvania are not spending enough to meet the basic needs of special education students, according to a new study.

The study found that 391 of the state's 501 school districts are spending less than a basic-adequacy level on special education. Combined, that amounts to a shortfall of $380 million annually, or $1,947 per special education student.

The study was done by Augenblick, Palaich & Associates for the Education Law Center of Pennsylvania, Disability Rights Network, and Arc of Pennsylvania.

The consultants calculated the base cost for the typical student in Pennsylvania at $8,003 in 2005-06. The base cost does not include food, transportation, debt service and capital costs. They figured the additional base cost for a typical special education student at $10,404, bringing the total to $18,407."

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/education/20090211_Study__Pa__short_on_special-ed_funding.html

Tax Tips For People With Disabilities

"There are several tax credits and benefits available to qualifying taxpayers with disabilities as well as to the parents of disabled children. Listed below are several tax credits and other benefits available if you or someone else listed on your federal tax return is disabled.

The Earned Income Tax Credit
The EITC is available to disabled taxpayers as well as to the parents of a child with a disability. The EITC is a tax credit that not only reduces a taxpayer's tax liability but may also result in a refund. Many working individuals with a disability, who have no qualifying children, but are older than 25 and younger than 65 do, in fact, qualify for EITC. Additionally, if the taxpayer's child is disabled, the age limitation for the EITC is waived. The EITC has no effect on certain public benefits. Any refund you receive because of the EITC will not be considered income when determining whether you are eligible for benefit programs such as Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid.

The Credit for the Elderly or Disabled
This credit may be available to taxpayers who are age 65 or older, or who are younger than 65 and are retired on permanent and total disability.

Child or Dependent Care Credit
Taxpayers who pay someone to come to their home and care for their dependent or spouse may be entitled to claim this credit. There is no age limit if the taxpayer's spouse or dependent is unable to care for themselves.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses
Employees who have a physical or mental disability limiting their employment, may be able to claim business expenses in connection with their workplace. The expenses must be necessary for the taxpayer to work.

Impact on the Standard Deduction
Taxpayers who are legally blind may be entitled to a higher standard deduction on their tax return.

Gross Income
Certain disability-related payments, Veterans Administration disability benefits, and Supplemental Security Income may be excluded from a taxpayer's gross income.
For more information on tax credits and benefits available to disabled taxpayers, see Publication 3966, Living and Working with Disabilities, or Publication 907, Tax Highlights for Persons with Disabilities, available on IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
Links: Publication 3966, Living and Working with Disabilities, Publication 907, Tax Highlights for Persons with Disabilities

Remember that all of the web page addresses for the official IRS website, IRS.gov, begin with http://www.irs.gov. Don' t be confused or misled by internet sites that end in .com, .net, .org or other designations instead of .gov. The address of the official IRS governmental Web site is http://www.irs.gov/."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29103481/