Senate Finance hears testimony on S.51, proposed unpaid caregiver tax credit

On Feb. 19, the Vermont Senate Finance Committee took testimony on S.51, an act to create a Vermont unpaid (paid in the bill text) caregiver tax credit that would provide refundable credits to qualifying family caregivers.

Advocates told the committee the credit would recognize and partially offset substantial unpaid labor and out-of-pocket costs that family caregivers provide for people with dementia and other long-term care needs. Meg Pulley, policy director for the Vermont chapter of the Alzheimer—s Association, said the bill—s findings and a refundable structure are important for caregivers with low incomes and those who do not typically receive refunds.

Pulley said state data show that in 2020 at least 12,800 Vermonters age 65 and older had a diagnosis of Alzheimer—s disease and that last year 19,000 Vermonters provided about 28,000,000 hours of unpaid care to people with dementia, a contribution she said the association values at about $615,000,000. "Caregivers for those living with Alzheimer's or other dementia play an essential role in maintaining the quality of life for their loved ones and…