HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 610        FILED ON: 1/13/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1643

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Chris Walsh

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to establish the family caregiver tax credit.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 610        FILED ON: 1/13/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1643

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

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An Act to establish the family caregiver tax credit.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 62 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 6N the following Section:

Section 6O

(a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:

"Activities of daily living", Everyday functions and activities individuals usually do without help. ADL functions include bathing, continence, dressing, eating, toileting and transferring.

"Eligible family member", means an individual who is at least eighteen (18)  years of age during a taxable year; requires assistance with at least one activity of daily living (ADL); is an individual who qualifies as a dependent, spouse, parent or other relation by blood or marriage, including an in-law, grandparent, grandchild, step-parent, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew of the family caregiver.

"State tax liability", means a family caregiver’s total state tax liability incurred for the taxable year.

"Family Caregiver" means an individual who is a resident taxpayer for the taxable year, as defined in M.G.L. Ch. 62 §1. In the case of a joint return, the term includes the individual and the individual's spouse.  The family caregiver claiming the credit must have a federal adjusted gross income of less than $75,000 for an individual and $150,000 for a couple, and incur uncompensated expenses directly related to the care of an eligible care recipient.  In addition, the family caregiver must provide care to 1 or more eligible care recipients during the taxable year, and be eligible to receive a credit against the family caregiver’s state tax liability for the taxable year.

(b)The total amount of the tax credit that a taxpayer described in subsection (a) of this Act is eligible to receive for a taxable year is equal to a credit equal to 50% of the eligible expenses incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year, with a maximum allowable credit of $3,000.  A taxpayer is not entitled to a refund, carryback, or carryforward of any credit under this Act.  To obtain a tax credit under this chapter, a taxpayer must claim the tax credit in the manner prescribed by the state.

(c)  Expenditures eligible to be claimed for the tax credit include:

(1) the improvement or alteration to the family caregiver's primary residence to permit the care recipient to remain mobile, safe, and independent,

(2) the purchase or lease of equipment that is necessary to assist an eligible care recipient in carrying out one or more activities of daily living;

(3) other goods, services, or supports that assist the family caregiver provide care to an eligible care recipient, such as expenditures related to hiring a home care aide or personal care attendant, respite care, adult day health, transportation, legal and financial services, and for assistive technology to care for their loved one.

(d) Only 1 taxpayer may claim a tax credit in a taxable year for the eligible family members under this Act for expenses described in Section (c).  If two or more qualified taxpayers claim a credit in accordance with subsection Sec. 4 of this section for the same qualifying family member, the total amount of the credit allowed shall be allocated in equal amounts between or among each of the qualified taxpayers.

(e) A taxpayer may not claim a tax credit under this chapter for expenses incurred in carrying out general household maintenance activities, including painting, plumbing, electrical repairs, or exterior maintenance, and must be directly related to assisting the family caregiver in providing care to an eligible care recipient. 

(f) The commissioner of the Department of Revenue shall promulgate rules and regulations relative to the administration and enforcement of this section.

SECTION 2.  This  act  shall  take  effect  upon its passage  and  apply  to  taxable years  beginning  on  or  after  January  1  next  following  the  date  of enactment.