THE CREDIT FOR CARING ACT:
What You Need to Know
Background: On May 17, 2017, this bi-partisan proposed bill introduced in the U.S. House and Senate called the Credit for Caring Act, (S.1151/H.R. 2505) would amend the Internal Revenue Code to create a federal, nonrefundable tax credit of up to $3,000 for family caregivers who work while also financially help and assist in caring for their parents, spouses, children with disabilities or other loved ones. Introduced by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Representatives Tom Reed (R-NY) and Linda Sánchez (D-CA), this bill is an important step toward supporting caregivers that work while caring for family members. AARP and other national organizations have endorsed the Credit for Caring Act. This bill would help defray some of the costs to family caregivers, 78 percent of whom use their own money to assist with caring for a loved one, and help ensure that they can continue working.
Issue: Today, over 40 million Americans provide long term assistance and care for adult loved ones today. Unpaid caregiver costs are estimated to be valued at a staggering $470 billion dollars annually (more than total Medicaid spending in 2013). In addition, an estimated 3.7 million family caregivers provide care to a child younger than 18 with a medical, behavioral or other condition or disability, and 6.5 million family caregivers assist both adults and children. Family caregivers as-sist with necessary daily life functions, including bathing and dressing, preparing meals, manag-ing medications, driving to appointments, and managing finances. (Source: AARP 2016 Survey Report)
What will the Bill Do?
- The Bill would give eligible family caregivers the opportunity to receive a tax credit for 30 percent of the qualified expenses above $2,000 paid to help a loved one, up to a maximum credit amount of $3,000 if the caregiver meets the following criteria:
- Is a spouse, adult child, parent or another relation named under the “dependent” definition
- Helps a loved one, of any age, who meets certain functional or cognitive limitations or other requirements, as certified by a licensed health care practitioner
- May or may not live with the loved one
- Have more than $7,500 in earned income for the taxable year, and
- Can document qualified expenses.
- Index certain dollar amounts and income levels to inflation
- Coordinate with other existing tax provisions to prevent double dipping, and
- Phase out at higher income levels.
Status of the Bill:
This bill was referred to the House, Ways and Means Committee.
What You Can Do:
- Attend a Town Hall in your congressional district
- Contact Your U.S. Senator and House Representatives at www.senate.gov and www.house.gov
U.S. Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121.
You can download a copy of this article here: Credit for caring Act.pdf
OTHER NEWS
The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc. Launches ‘I Am the Change’ Campaign to Fight COVID-19
Supported by a grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc. on Jan. 31 will launch its national COVID-19 Public Health Education Social Media Campaign to narrow the gap of those impacted by the pandemic in the African American community. “I Am The Change: Addressing COVID-19 Here And Now!” targets members of BWA’s 24 National Collaborating Organizations, representing more than three million Black women in the U.S.
COVID-19
The Black Women’s Agenda endorses federal, state and local government public health warnings prescribed to mitigate the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS~CoV-2) (formerly called HCoV-19 and commonly called COVID-19).
The assertion that coronavirus only threatens older people has been debunked. While data is rapidly being compiled, COVID-19 is trending across all age demographics because of the potentially high transmission from virus shed in asymptomatic patients and the ability for the virus to remain infectious in the air for hours and on surfaces such as plastic and steel for days.
February Heart Health Month
This February and every month, please take these important tips to heart:
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America
• Heart disease is the # 1 killer of Black women
• Protect your heart by leading a healthy lifestyle, including engaging in regular
physical activity and eating a healthy diet (10 minutes of exercise helps your
heart)…
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Today in #BlackHistory — Unbought and Unbossed, Shirley Chisholm became the first Black Presidential nominee.
She shattered the glass ceiling and I'm beyond proud to represent part of her district! I am because she was.
We fought hard for this because birth control is essential to our reproductive freedom.
This victory will empower folks to make decisions about their bodies & their futures.
Congress must now pass our bill to #FreeThePill & make OTC birth control free for all who need it.
Be the Change this World AIDS Day 🌍
Change starts with you. Change starts with us. Together, we can:
❤️ Break the stigma around HIV.
🩺 Promote testing, prevention, and treatment for all.
📢 Advocate for equal access to healthcare worldwide.
💡 Share knowledge to build understanding and compassion.
Be the change that ends HIV/AIDS. Take action today.
What step will you take to make a difference? Let’s inspire change together!
Learn more by visiting our community partner Gilead Sciences @ https://www.gilead.com/
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Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones with Vaccines! 💉
Vaccines are your best defense against serious illnesses. Stay up to date on your:
✔️ Flu Shot
✔️ COVID-19 Booster
✔️ RSV Vaccine
Let’s work together to keep our communities safe and healthy.
Talk to your healthcare provider today!
#VaccinesWork #StayProtected #RiskLessDoMore
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Don’t miss @theblackwomensagendainc and a panel of distinguished experts discussing “I Am The Change: Vaccines For Your Best Health” 🌍.
This Town Hall will increase awareness of critical prevention, testing, and treatment resources for respiratory viruses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
🗓️ Date: November 12th
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You inspired. You encouraged. You remained steadfast.
We thank you being you.
"The fight for the ideals that reflect America at its best: Freedom, opportunity, fairness, and dignity. That is a fight I will never give up." - Vice President Kamala Harris, 2024 Presidential Candidate
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