A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1741-1742)
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Catching Up Family Caregivers Act of 2026 aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It seeks to allow additional catch-up contributions for certain family caregivers. This applies to individuals who meet specific requirements for caregiving hours and employment levels. The bill defines a qualified family caregiver and establishes how they are treated for tax purposes. These changes are intended to affect retirement plan contributions. The amendments would take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +3
Would people in middle age be better off under this?
The bill benefits middle-aged caregivers by allowing them to make additional catch-up retirement contributions.
- Scored +3
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill provides a pathway for underemployed caregivers to build retirement savings.
- Scored +3
Would middle-income households be better off under this?
The bill allows caregivers in this bracket to increase their retirement account balances through catch-up contributions.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Retirement Contributions: Individuals who qualify as a "qualified family caregiver" can be treated similarly to an eligible participant who would attain age 60 but not age 64 before the end of the year (Section 2(b)(E)). This allows for additional catch-up contributions to their retirement accounts (Section 2(c)).
-
Support for Caregivers with Low Employment: The bill provides benefits for those who have completed 500 or more hours of caregiving but have fewer than 500 hours of paid employment (Section 2(b)(ii)(I)-(II)). This supports unpaid family members, foster parents, or other unpaid adults providing care for children or adults with special needs/age-related conditions (Section 2(b)(iii)).
-
Simplified Verification: Employers can rely on a written representation from an individual stating they were a qualified family caregiver for the taxable year (Section 2(b)(v)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Time Limitations on Benefits: The status of a qualified family caregiver is limited to a total of the lesser of one taxable year for each year the requirements were met, or a maximum of five taxable years (Section 2(b)(ii)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides a pathway for underemployed caregivers to build retirement savings. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — The bill benefits middle-aged caregivers by allowing them to make additional catch-up retirement contributions. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill allows caregivers in this bracket to increase their retirement account balances through catch-up contributions. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill provides financial recognition for those who provide care for individuals with special needs. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill indirectly benefits seniors by supporting the caregivers who provide their in-home care and management. Would women be better off under this? — The bill supports individuals, who are disproportionately women, providing unpaid care for children or elderly adults.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill supports those providing care for adults with special needs by allowing them to catch up on retirement savings. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill helps caregivers build financial security for the future through increased retirement savings opportunities.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this cut taxes for middle-income families? — The bill allows middle-income caregivers to increase their retirement contributions, which provides a tax advantage through deductible IRA contributions.
- 4/14/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1741-1742)
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia