Comprehensive Long-Term Care Support Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction from gross income (available for taxpayers who do not itemize deductions) for the cost of long-term care premiums for the taxpayer and certain family members, including the taxpayer's spouse, ancestors, or lineal descendants. Phases in the deduction by allowing the deduction of 50 percent of the cost of premiums in 2007, 75 percent in 2008, and 100 percent in 2009 or thereafter. Allows long-term care insurance as a benefit under tax-qualified cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements.
Allows a tax credit for caregivers of individuals with long-term health care needs. Phases in a $3,000 credit amount for 2011 or thereafter, beginning with $1,000 in 2007, $1,500 in 2008, $2,000 in 2009, and $2,500 in 2010. Reduces the amount of the credit for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes over $75,000 ($150,000 for joint returns), adjusted for inflation after 2007.
Increases funding for the the National Family Caregiver Support Program and the Native American Caregiver Support Program.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6211 Introduced in House (IH)]
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6211
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals a
deduction for qualified long-term care insurance premiums, a credit for
individuals who care for those with long-term care needs, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 27, 2006
Ms. Herseth introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on
Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined
by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as
fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals a
deduction for qualified long-term care insurance premiums, a credit for
individuals who care for those with long-term care needs, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Comprehensive Long-Term Care Support
Act of 2006''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress hereby finds:
(1) As our Nation's seniors live longer lives, the United
States faces a major challenge in long-term health care needs.
(2) The United States does not have a comprehensive system
to support long-term care needs.
(3) Eighty-six percent of people age 85 and older have at
least one chronic condition which can cause pain, disability,
and loss of functioning.
(4) Long-term care is expected to place a huge burden on
State Medicaid programs, which are the primary source of
funding for nursing homes.
SEC. 3. DEDUCTION FOR QUALIFIED LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE PREMIUMS.
(a) In General.--Part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to additional itemized
deductions) is amended by redesignating section 224 as section 225 and
by inserting after section 223 the following new section:
``SEC. 224. PREMIUMS ON QUALIFIED LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE CONTRACTS.
``(a) In General.--In the case of an individual, there shall be
allowed as a deduction an amount equal to the applicable percentage of
the amount of eligible long-term care premiums (as defined in section
213(d)(10)) paid during the taxable year for coverage for the taxpayer
or any member of the family of the taxpayer under a qualified long-term
care insurance contract (as defined in section 7702B(b)).
``(b) Applicable Percentage.--For purposes of subsection (a), the
applicable percentage shall be determined in accordance with the
following table:
``For taxable years beginning The applicable
in calendar year: percentage is:
2007................................................... 50
2008................................................... 75
2009 or thereafter..................................... 100.
``(c) Member of the Family.--For purposes of this section, the term
`member of the family' means, with respect to any individual--
``(1) the spouse of the individual,
``(2) an ancestor or lineal descendant of the individual or
the individual's spouse,
``(3) a brother or sister of the individual or any
individual described in paragraph (1) or (2), and
``(4) the spouse of any individual described in paragraph
(2) or (3).
``(d) Coordination With Other Deductions.--Any amount paid by a
taxpayer for any qualified long-term care insurance contract to which
subsection (a) applies shall not be taken into account in computing the
amount allowable to the taxpayer as a deduction under section 162(l) or
213(a).''.
(b) Long-Term Care Insurance Permitted to Be Offered Under
Cafeteria Plans and Flexible Spending Arrangements.--
(1) Cafeteria plans.--Section 125(f) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (defining qualified benefits) is amended
by inserting before the period at the end ``; except that such
term shall include the payment of premiums for any qualified
long-term care insurance contract (as defined in section 7702B)
to the extent the amount of such payment does not exceed the
eligible long-term care premiums (as defined in section
213(d)(10)) for such contract''.
(2) Flexible spending arrangements.--Section 106 of such
Code (relating to contributions by an employer to accident and
health plans) is amended by striking subsection (c).
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 62(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended by inserting after paragraph (20) the following new
item:
``(21) Premiums on qualified long-term care insurance
contracts.--The deduction allowed by section 224.''.
(2) The table of sections for part VII of subchapter B of
chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking the last item and
inserting the following new items:
``Sec. 224. Premiums on qualified long-term care insurance contracts.
``Sec. 225. Cross reference.''.
(d) Effective Dates.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006.
SEC. 4. CREDIT FOR TAXPAYERS WITH LONG-TERM CARE NEEDS.
(a) In General.--Subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to nonrefundable
personal credits) is amended by inserting after section 25D the
following new section:
``SEC. 25E. CREDIT FOR TAXPAYERS WITH LONG-TERM CARE NEEDS.
``(a) Allowance of Credit.--
``(1) In general.--There shall be allowed as a credit
against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an
amount equal to the applicable credit amount multiplied by the
number of applicable individuals with respect to whom the
taxpayer is an eligible caregiver for the taxable year.
``(2) Applicable credit amount.--For purposes of paragraph
(1), the applicable credit amount shall be determined in
accordance with the following table:
``For taxable years beginning The applicable
in calendar year: credit amount is:
2007................................................... $1,000
2008................................................... $1,500
2009................................................... $2,000
2010................................................... $2,500
2011 or thereafter..................................... $3,000.
``(b) Limitation Based on Adjusted Gross Income.--
``(1) In general.--The amount of the credit allowable under
subsection (a) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by $100
for each $1,000 (or fraction thereof) by which the taxpayer's
modified adjusted gross income exceeds the threshold amount.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term `modified
adjusted gross income' means adjusted gross income increased by
any amount excluded from gross income under section 911, 931,
or 933.
``(2) Threshold amount.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the
term `threshold amount' means--
``(A) $150,000 in the case of a joint return, and
``(B) $75,000 in any other case.
``(3) Indexing.--In the case of any taxable year beginning
in a calendar year after 2007, each dollar amount contained in
paragraph (2) shall be increased by an amount equal to the
product of--
``(A) such dollar amount, and
``(B) the medical care cost adjustment determined
under section 213(d)(10)(B)(ii) for the calendar year
in which the taxable year begins, determined by
substituting `August of 2006' for `August of 1996' in
subclause (II) thereof.
If any increase determined under the preceding sentence is not
a multiple of $50, such increase shall be rounded to the next
lowest multiple of $50.
``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) Applicable individual.--
``(A) In general.--The term `applicable individual'
means, with respect to any taxable year, any individual
who has been certified, before the due date for filing
the return of tax for the taxable year (without
extensions), by a physician (as defined in section
1861(r)(1) of the Social Security Act) as being an
individual with long-term care needs described in
subparagraph (B) for a period--
``(i) which is at least 180 consecutive
days, and
``(ii) a portion of which occurs within the
taxable year.
Such term shall not include any individual otherwise
meeting the requirements of the preceding sentence
unless within the 39\1/2\ month period ending on such
due date (or such other period as the Secretary
prescribes) a physician (as so defined) has certified
that such individual meets such requirements.
``(B) Individuals with long-term care needs.--An
individual is described in this subparagraph if the
individual meets any of the following requirements:
``(i) The individual is at least 6 years of
age and--
``(I) is unable to perform (without
substantial assistance from another
individual) at least 3 activities of
daily living (as defined in section
7702B(c)(2)(B)) due to a loss of
functional capacity, or
``(II) requires substantial
supervision to protect such individual
from threats to health and safety due
to severe cognitive impairment and is
unable to preform, without reminding or
cuing assistance, at least 1 activity
of daily living (as so defined) or to
the extent provided in regulations
prescribed by the Secretary (in
consultation with the Secretary of
Health and Human Services), is unable
to engage in age appropriate
activities.
``(ii) The individual is at least 2 but not
6 years of age and is unable due to a loss of
functional capacity to perform (without
substantial assistance from another individual)
at least 2 of the following activities: eating,
transferring, or mobility.
``(iii) The individual is under 2 years of
age and requires specific durable medical
equipment by reason of a severe health
condition or requires a skilled practitioner
trained to address the individual's condition
to be available if the individual's parents or
guardians are absent.
``(2) Eligible caregiver.--
``(A) In general.--A taxpayer shall be treated as
an eligible caregiver for any taxable year with respect
to the following individuals:
``(i) The taxpayer.
``(ii) The taxpayer's spouse.
``(iii) An individual with respect to whom
the taxpayer is allowed a deduction under
section 151 for the taxable year.
``(iv) An individual who would be described
in clause (iii) for the taxable year if section
152(d)(1)(B) were applied by substituting for
the exemption amount an amount equal to the sum
of the exemption amount, the standard deduction
under section 63(c)(2)(C), and any additional
standard deduction under section 63(c)(3) which
would be applicable to the individual if clause
(iii) applied.
``(v) An individual who would be described
in clause (iii) for the taxable year if the
requirements of clause (iv) are met with
respect to the individual and section 152(c)(1)
were applied without regard to subparagraph
(D).
``(B) Special rules where more than 1 eligible
caregiver.--
``(i) In general.--If more than 1
individual is an eligible caregiver with
respect to the same applicable individual for
taxable years ending with or within the same
calendar year, a taxpayer shall be treated as
the eligible caregiver if each such individual
(other than the taxpayer) files a written
declaration (in such form and manner as the
Secretary may prescribe) that such individual
will not claim such applicable individual for
the credit under this section.
``(ii) No agreement.--If each individual
required under clause (i) to file a written
declaration under clause (i) does not do so,
the individual with the highest modified
adjusted gross income (as defined in section
32(c)(5)) shall be treated as the eligible
caregiver.
``(iii) Married individuals filing
separately.--In the case of married individuals
filing separately, the determination under this
subparagraph as to whether the husband or wife
is the eligible caregiver shall be made under
the rules of clause (ii) (whether or not one of
them has filed a written declaration under
clause (i)).
``(d) Identification Requirement.--No credit shall be allowed under
this section to a taxpayer with respect to any applicable individual
unless the taxpayer includes the name and taxpayer identification
number of such individual, and the identification number of the
physician certifying such individual, on the return of tax for the
taxable year.
``(e) Taxable Year Must Be Full Taxable Year.--Except in the case
of a taxable year closed by reason of the death of the taxpayer, no
credit shall be allowable under this section in the case of a taxable
year covering a period of less than 12 months.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 6213(g)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (L),
by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (M) and
inserting ``, and'', and by inserting after subparagraph (M)
the following new subparagraph:
``(N) an omission of a correct TIN or physician
identification required under section 25E(d) (relating
to credit for taxpayers with long-term care needs) to
be included on a return.''.
(2) The table of sections for subpart A of part IV of
subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 25D the following new item:
``Sec. 25E. Credit for taxpayers with long-term care needs.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006.
SEC. 5. INCREASED FUNDING FOR NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT
PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 303(e) of the Older Americans Act of 1965
(42 U.S.C. 3023(e)) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (1),
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``(2)'' and inserting ``(1)'',
(B) by inserting ``$250,000,000 for fiscal year
2007 and'' before ``such'', and
(C) by striking ``each of the 4 succeeding fiscal
years'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2008, 2009, 2010,
and 2011'', and
(3) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking ``(3)'' and inserting ``(2)'', and
(B) by striking ``paragraphs (1) and (2)'' and
inserting ``paragraph (1)''.
(b) Native Americans.--Section 643(2) of the Older Americans Act of
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3057n(2)) is amended by striking ``$5,000,000 for
fiscal year 2001'' and inserting ``$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2007''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Select Education.
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