Clinton calling for tax break to help families care for ailing relatives

Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton on Sunday is expected to propose a new tax cut for millions of middle-class families caring for ailing parents and grandparents.

{mosads}An aide to the Democratic front-runner said the tax credit would help families offset up to $6,000 to pay for coordinating or providing care for aging or disabled family members.

Caregivers would also see added Social Security benefits under Clinton’s plan, which is expected to be rolled out a town hall meeting in Iowa on Sunday afternoon, the aide said. The former secretary of State will also call to reforms to support paid and unpaid caregivers and recognize their contributions.

The Clinton aide said that family members often spend time out of the workforce, cut back on hours, or use personal days, vacation, and family time to provide care. Family finances can be strained, the aide added, with caregivers suffering lost wages, health insurance, and Social Security benefits.

The aide called caregiving a “win-win for the family and for our overall health system,” saying it enables seniors to remain in their own homes, maintain independence and save costs while obtaining needed support.

Clinton will further detail proposals to cut middle-class taxes over the coming weeks and months, her campaign said.

Those cuts would be paid for “by a set of proposals Clinton supports in order to ensure the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share,” an aide said last week.

Clinton has previously called for the extension of the American Opportunity Tax Credit to help with college affordability and the creation of a new tax credit to help people deal with the rising out-of pocket healthcare costs.

Read Clinton fact sheet