House Passes Caring For Caregivers Bill; Tax Credit Now Moves To Senate

State lawmakers are debating a bill that would give a tax credit to people who care for family members over the age of 62.

The tax credit would be up to $2,000 per family member or up to $3,000 if they're caring for a veteran or someone with dementia. The House passed the Caring for Caregivers bill in 2022, but it wasn't considered in the state senate.

"So many people selflessly choose to care for an ailing family member," said House Majority Leader Tammy West West. "This often comes at great personal expense. This bill is a way to help compensate them for their out-of-pocket expenses. This also supports their choice to take care of their own rather than having to rely on an outside source to care for their loved one."

A federal study from 2020 estimates there are about 36,000 Oklahomans who are 65 and older with dementia who are being cared for at home.