Individuals with Unique Abilities Tax Credit Program.

(1) For purposes of this section, the term:

(a) “Qualified employee” means an individual who has a disability, as that term is defined in s. 413.801, and has been employed for at least 6 months by a qualified taxpayer.

(b) “Qualified taxpayer” means a taxpayer who employs a qualified employee at a business located in this state.

(2) For a taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2024, a qualified taxpayer is eligible for a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter in an amount up to $1,000 for each qualified employee such taxpayer employed during the taxable year. The tax credit shall equal one dollar for each hour the qualified employee worked during the taxable year, up to 1,000 hours.

(3)(a) The department may adopt rules governing the manner and form of applications for the tax credit and establishing requirements for the proper administration of the tax credit. The form must include an affidavit certifying that all information contained within the application is true and correct and must require the taxpayer to specify the number of qualified employees for whom a credit under this section is being claimed and the number of hours each qualified employee worked during the taxable year.

(b) The department must approve the tax credit prior to the taxpayer taking the credit on a return. The department must approve credits on a first-come, first-served basis. If the department determines that an application is incomplete, the department shall notify the taxpayer in writing and the taxpayer shall have 30 days after receiving such notification to correct any deficiency. If corrected in a timely manner, the application must be deemed completed as of the date the application was first submitted.

(c) A taxpayer may not claim a tax credit of more than $10,000 under this section in any one taxable year.

(d) A taxpayer may carry forward any unused portion of a tax credit under this section for up to 5 taxable years. The carryover may be used in a subsequent year when the tax imposed by this chapter for such year exceeds the credit for such year under this section after applying the other credits and unused credit carryovers in the order provided in s. 220.02(8).

(4) The combined total amount of tax credits which may be granted under this section is $5 million in each of state fiscal years 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and 2026-2027.

(5) The department may consult with the Department of Commerce and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to determine if an individual is a qualified employee. The Department of Commerce and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities shall provide technical assistance, when requested by the department, on any such question.