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SB 151

Income Tax - Credit for Individuals Residing With and Caring for Elderly Parents

2026 Regular Session Introduced by William Folden

Maryland income tax credit for residents providing household care to elderly parents aims to support family caregiving while reducing tax liability.

Hearing 1/21 at 10:00 a.m.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 151

Legislative bill overview

SB 151 proposes to create a state income tax credit for Maryland residents who live with and provide care for elderly parents. The credit would reduce tax liability for individuals meeting specified residency and caregiving requirements. The bill aims to financially support family-based eldercare arrangements.

Why is this important

As Maryland's population ages and long-term care costs rise, this policy attempts to incentivize informal family caregiving while reducing household financial burden. The credit could influence decisions about whether elderly parents move into facilities or remain in family homes, with implications for both social services demand and household economics.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue impact and cost: The fiscal effect on the state budget is unclear without knowing the credit amount, income limits, and how many households would qualify
  • Definition specificity: Questions remain about what constitutes "caring for" (hours required? activities covered?), "residing with" (legal residency? ownership?), and "elderly" (age threshold?) that could affect eligibility disputes
  • Equity concerns: The credit may primarily benefit middle and upper-income families with space to house parents and income tax liability to offset, potentially widening support gaps for lower-income caregivers
  • Interaction with other programs: Unclear how this interacts with existing caregiver support, Medicaid planning, or dependent exemptions, potentially creating overlapping or conflicting incentives

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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