Senator Hassan Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Cut Taxes for Family Caregivers

WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Representatives Linda Sánchez (D-CA) and Mike Carey (R-OH) in reintroducing the Credit for Caring Act. This bipartisan bill would provide a tax cut of up to $5,000 for eligible and working family caregivers in New Hampshire and across the country.

“Caregivers are too often the unsung heroes in our communities, doing valuable work to help their loved ones, often while also trying to juggle work and other family responsibilities,” said Senator Hassan. “I know firsthand the important role that caregivers play in helping an aging parent or person with disability live a full life. I am proud to help introduce this bipartisan bill that will cut taxes for family caregivers and provide them the support that they and their loved ones need.”

"Family caregivers are the backbone of our country’s long-term care system, but they are overwhelmed, exhausted, and financially strained. Our caregivers desperately need support. That is why AARP is proud to work closely with Senators Bennet, Capito, Warren, Collins, Hassan, and Murkowski and Representatives Carey and Sánchez for the introduction of the Credit for Caring Act," said Nancy LeaMond, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer, AARP. "We urge Congress to pass this legislation in 2024 to help provide relief and put money back in the pockets of caregivers.”

Estimates show that 168,000 people in New Hampshire are family caregivers. Caregivers in the United States provide approximately $600 billion in unpaid care each year, $2.8 billion of which are provided by Granite Staters, so that their parents, spouses, and other loved ones can continue to live independently.

The Credit for Caring Act would help cover the more than $7,200 that families spend on out-of-pocket caring costs each year, such as home care aides, adult day care, respite care, transportation, and other supports. Specifically, the bill would:

• Create up to a $5,000 nonrefundable tax credit adjusted to inflation for family caregivers
• Apply to incurred family caregiving expenses greater than $2,000

This bill is part of Senator Hassan’s ongoing work to support family caregivers. In 2022, Senator Hassan successfully pushed the Department of Veterans Affairs to extend eligibility for a Veterans Affairs program for family caregivers. Last year, Senators Hassan and Murkowski introduced and passed into law the Reserve Component Parental Leave Parity Act, which expanded parental leave eligibility for Reserve and National Guard members to cover all new parents. Additionally, Senator Hassan has helped introduce legislation to expand access to long-term care as well as legislation to eliminate the lengthy waiting lists for home care services.

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