OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – A member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives is calling upon Congress to pass a federal version of Oklahoma’s groundbreaking tax credit for working family caregivers.
Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, is urging federal lawmakers to help ease the financial burden on Oklahoma’s nearly 490,000 family caregivers by passing the Credit for Caring Act. The legislation gives financial relief to caregivers, following the path blazed by West’s Caring for Caregivers Act.
Caring for Caregivers was signed into law in 2023 and went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, making Oklahoma the first U.S. state to implement a comprehensive caregiver tax credit.
Caring for Caregivers offers up to $3,000 annually to qualified residents.
West is now calling upon members of Congress to pass a similar tax credit. She introduced House Concurrent Resolution 1009 on the Oklahoma House of Representatives floor last week.
“Whenever someone cares for a loved one, unexpected out-of-pocket expenses inevitably arise,” West said. “Oklahoma led the way in recognizing and supporting this essential work and now we have the chance to lead again by advocating for national relief through the Credit for Caring Act.”
Ohio Congressman Mike Carey introduced the Credit for Caring Act, which offers working family caregivers a federal tax credit of up to $5,000. HCR1009 urged Oklahoma’s federal delegation to co-sponsor the bill.
Oklahoma caregivers contribute an estimated $6.6 billion in unpaid care each year, helping seniors and individuals afford at-home care, which is less costly to families and taxpayers than institutional care.
Family caregivers typically spend over $7,000 out-of-pocket each year on medical supplies, home modifications, respite care and transportation, studies have shown. The Credit for Caring Act seeks to ease such financial burdens.
Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole is co-sponsoring the Credit for Caring Act, and President Donald Trump has publicly supported efforts to support family caregivers.
West is reminding Oklahomans to take advantage of the state’s new tax credit, as the April 15 tax deadline approaches. Oklahoma’s Caring for Caregivers credit provides up to $2,000 annually or $3,000 for those caring for veterans or individuals who have dementia. The state’s total cap is $1.5 million per year.
“Family caregivers provide immense value both to their loved ones and to the state,” West said. “The Caring for Caregivers tax credit provides real relief to those balancing care, jobs and mounting expenses, and I encourage every eligible Oklahoman to take advantage of this important support.”
Oklahomans can check their eligibility by visiting: www.aarp.org/OKCaregiverTaxCredit
