Hello, friends and readers alike. Gather around the proverbial campfire—because it’s time to discuss a concept that really isn’t talked about as much as it should be.

If you were to Google “Disability tax,” the top result would be an IRS resource or a TurboTax blog post about how to maximize your disability tax credit. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not downplaying the importance of that info. But disability tax is more than the government’s half-hearted attempt at leveling the financial playing field for disabled folks.

What Is Disability Tax

I came across this product blog post during my research—and while I’m not endorsing the products sold by this company, the author offers up a solid and succinct definition. Disability tax “…encapsulates the extra costs—monetary, emotional, and time-related—that are requisite for those living with a disability to simply access and engage fully within their day-to-day lives.”

On the surface, this seems pretty straightforward, but looking at how this concept shows up in practice might surprise both disabled and non-disabled folks alike.

Disability Tax in Action

Every day, we are forced to swiftly calculate the cost-benefit analysis of performing daily living tasks. For instance, if I need to get groceries, I first assess if I have the physical and mental energy to complete an in-person trip.

• Am I in pain or overly exhausted?
• Will the effort of completing this trip cause me to be in pain or overly exhausted?
• Am I emotionally regulated enough to be in public?
• Do I have the energy to stay oriented in a semi-familiar public space?

Once that’s determined, I need to factor in the monetary and time costs:

• I can save money by scheduling disability transportation ahead of time.
• However, I may spend money in other areas–like ordering out if I’m already out of food.
• Using rideshare is more expensive, and depending on driver(s), I may need to expend mental and emotional energy guiding them in assisting me—or even dealing with disability denials.
• Accessing public transportation is an option that cuts down on monetary costs; however, it requires more physical energy to juggle groceries while riding and walking. Plus, waiting on transportation is time-expensive.

Of course, ordering groceries for delivery is also an option for me. This option significantly decreases the cost of physical, mental, and emotional energy–as well as time. However, I still need to consider that:

• The cost of delivery and tip may be prohibitive—especially with smaller orders.
• There is a higher risk of receiving the wrong items.
• I will still need to communicate needs and requests with shoppers/delivery drivers.

This is just a snapshot into the messy calculations required for disability math. Each consideration holds different weight depending on varying factors–most of which I have very little control over.

Some other general disability tax items specifically tied to my blindness include:

• Ensuring I have money to tip shopping and transportation assistance.
• Setting aside money for assistive technology repairs.
• Allowing extra time for traveling in case of rideshare/orientation and mobility mishaps.
• Purchasing multiple battery packs to ensure continued access to my phone–my lifeline.

Disability Tax: AuDHD Edition

For me, the disability taxes I incur as an AuDHDer feel more frustrating—most likely because they are more stigmatized than invisible. Executive dysfunction and sensory needs often are the driving forces behind these taxes, and therefore, are constantly mislabeled as lazy, undisciplined, or overindulgent. Some of the most common assumptions around this category of disability tax items are:

• You look at someone who regularly orders food delivery as a lazy individual who is financially illiterate rather than recognizing that takeout might be their only reliable way of meeting their nutritional needs.
• You judge folks for not being environmentally-conscious when buying paper and plastic utensils and pre-cut food instead of recognizing that these solutions minimize energy expenditure for disabled people.
• You view shopping for items related to special interests as wastes of time rather than safe and regulatory tools that bring comfort and stability.
• You view impulse buying as a moral failing instead of valid struggle.
• You mock the need for replacement shopping rather than acknowledging the frustration and helplessness that accompanies having to constantly re-spend resources due to a differently-wired brain.

Why Does It Matter

Disability tax is a significant aspect of being disabled that is not factored into government, community, and personal support systems. So often these extra costs are invisible or heavily stigmatized—leaving disabled folks to juggle the cost-benefit analysis of meeting their basic needs while defending against discouraging accusations on their character.

Whether you have a disability or not, recognizing the added cost of existing in a body and brain that continues to be feared and misunderstood is a key element in advocating and empowering our community. It’s time to bring our struggles, our triumphs–our impressive disability math skills–into the light. Time to strip away the stigmas in our own communities and beyond.

I’d love to hear about your experiences with disability tax. What are the most frustrating ones for you? What ones, if any, have you grown to enjoy?

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