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Listening sessions to hear from community members
Starting in 2023, the Working Families Tax Credit is a tax refund that helps Washington workers and their families get more money back at tax time. The refund returns a portion of sales tax paid each year and is modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit program.
The purpose of the Working Families Tax Credit is to stimulate the local economy, promote racial equity, and support the financial stability and well-being of low-to-moderate income Washington residents and their families.
This credit program is managed by the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR), the state’s tax administration agency.
Creating an equitable program
Community Outreach Grants
Department of Revenue has partnered with community-based and community-led organizations across the state to ensure that information about the Working Families Tax Credit reaches all Washington residents, especially those who may benefit from direct services in their local communities.
The legislature made a total of $5,000,000 available for these community outreach grants.
For the 2023-2025 biennium, 27 organizations have been selected to receive funds and conduct outreach for the Working Families Tax Credit program. Recipients are non-profit organizations, small for-profit businesses, and organizations that serve minority groups and tribal governments located in Washington state.
Listening sessions to hear from community members
Department of Revenue hosted listening sessions in November 2021, May 2022, and June 2023. The input received at these sessions helps ensure we create an equitable program that meets the needs of our customers and supports Washington’s low-to-moderate income working families and individuals.
View the Listening Session Reports:
- Community Listening Session Report (July 2023)
- Tax Preparer Listening Session Report (June 2023)
- Grantee Listening Session Report (June 2023)
- Community Listening Session Report (May 2022)
- Community Listening Session Report (November 2021)
View past listening session materials.
Outreach Advisory Committee
The Outreach Advisory Committee will help inform and guide the implementation of a robust outreach strategy. Applications to be a member of the committee are open.
Learn more about the Washington State Department of Revenue.
Laws and rules
The Department of Revenue oversees the Working Families Tax Credit program and develops the rules to administer it.
- WAC 458-20-285 Working Families Tax Credit
- RCW 82.08.0206
- Second Substitute House Bill 1477 (2023 legislation):
- Expands eligibility to individuals who filed their federal income tax return under the married filing separately status. This will apply to tax year 2023 which is filed in 2024, and the following years.
- Allows individuals to apply for any WFTC refunds for which they were eligible but did not claim for up to three years from the date their federal tax return was due. This will apply to tax year 2022 which is filed in 2023, and the following years.
- Requires DOR to submit bi-annual reports to the House Finance and Senate Ways and Means Committees, as well as making that data available on the DOR website.
- Expands eligibility to individuals who filed their federal income tax return under the married filing separately status. This will apply to tax year 2023 which is filed in 2024, and the following years.
Learn more about DOR’s rule making process or visit our rule making FAQs.