Get financial help to make your business entrance accessible

Apply for a small business grant to help you understand and plan for accessibility improvements.  This grant will pay for an inspection of your storefront from a Certified Access Specialist or licensed architect and help small businesses required by landlords to comply with the San Francisco Accessible Business Entrance program.  Applications are open on a rolling basis.

The IRS has a tax deduction for all businesses. 

You can take a deduction up to $15,000 per year. 

You can claim a tax deduction for any construction costs for improving accessibility.

To help businesses follow the ADA, the IRS allows a tax credit for small businesses.

• To be eligible, your business must have:
• Total revenues of $1,000,000 or less in the previous tax year 
• 30 or fewer full-time employees

This credit can cover 50% of the eligible access costs in a year up to $10,250 (up to $5,000). 

The tax credit can be used to:

• Pay for construction to improve accessibility
  Provide accessible formats such as Braille, large print, and audio tape
• Provide a sign language interpreter or a reader for customers or employees
• Buy adaptive equipment

The California Capital Access Americans with Disabilities Act Financing Program (CalCAP/ADA Financing Program) encourages banks and other financial institutions to make loans to small businesses.

To qualify for a loan, your small business must:

• Be located in California
• Have 15 or less full-time equivalent employees
• Be under 10,000 square feet
• Have a total annual gross income of less than $1 million
• Not provide overnight accommodations

Contact the Office of Small Business for additional resources.