Arkansas $500 Tax Credit for Dependent with Developmental Disabilities Including Autism

Arkansas offers a tax credit of $500 to individuals with autism. The form AR1000RC5 for tax year 2010 can be found here. This credit only goes to dyslexia and developmental disabilities, with autism being one of them.

The tax credit requires a diagnosis from a team made of a licensed physician and a psychologist/psychological examiner. Your pediatrician or PCP fills out the form and hands it back to the family.  Once completed, the tax credit can be filed for 5 tax years.  After that time, a new form must be filed.

Please check that your form is the up-to-date copy and instructions. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration has a complete list of tax forms here.

$500 Tax Adjustment for Disabled Child

There's another $500 tax adjustment for a disabled child, form AR1000DC for 2010, which can be found here. The form must be refiled every year, but only requires the signature of a physician.  Hand a copy of the form to your doctor, and if he agrees, he'll complete the form and return it to the parent.

Any disability can apply for this tax adjustment. The adjustment just reduces the taxable income and is not a credit.

Please be careful to find the most up-to-date tax form and instructions. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration has a complete list of tax forms here.