The Working Families Tax Credit is an annual tax refund for Washington residents worth up to $1,255, depending on income level and the number of qualifying children in a household
Carleen Johnson
The Center Square Washington
Washington state officials say they are on track to meet the goal of having 50% of eligible families applying for and receiving a tax credit for moderate- and low-income families by this time next year.
The Working Families Tax Credit is an annual tax refund for Washington residents worth up to $1,255, depending on income level and the number of qualifying children in a household.
According to Gov. Jay Inslee, the Working Families Tax Credit is about tax fairness.
“This is one of the largest tax cuts in the history of the state of Washington,” Inslee said during a Tuesday morning meeting of the Governor’s Results Initiative focused on the Working Families Tax Credit.
Per information presented at the meeting, 45% of eligible households claimed the credit in its first year.
The tax credit became law in 2008, but was not fully funded by lawmakers until 2021 when COVID-19 dollars from the federal government were funneled into the program.
Lori Pfingst, senior director of poverty at the Department of Social and Health Services, said the direct payments to families change lives.
“Targeted tax credits like the Working Families Tax Credit are especially effective at reducing poverty and inequality,” she said. “Most people who are in poverty are working, raising families and doing everything they can to make ends meet.”
She said checks sent to struggling families during the pandemic made a huge difference.
“Direct payments made to people during the pandemic brought 196,000 Washingtonians up out of poverty,” Pfingst touted.
She went on to say, “The child tax credit reduced racial disparities dramatically.”
Immigration status is an issue with the tax credit.
Nearly 10% of those who have applied for and received the Washington Families Tax Credit do not have Social Security numbers, according to the public performance review, but do have Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, often because of immigration status.
Outreach efforts continue, given the large percentage of qualified families not applying for the benefit.
To meet the goal of 50% of eligible recipients filling out applications for the tax credit, the Department of Revenue recommends additional state funding for media campaigns and partnerships with community groups to simplify and help potential recipients through the application process.
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- Vancouver Police release critical incident video from Dec. 28 officer-involved shooting
Vancouver Police Department released a Critical Incident Video related to a December 28 officer-involved shooting while the Office of Independent Investigations continues its review. - Opinion: Transit agencies need accountability not increased state subsidy
Charles Prestrud argues that Washington transit agencies face rising costs and declining ridership due to governance structures that lack public accountability. - Letter: ‘For years, American foreign policy too often felt like a blank check’
Vancouver resident Peter Bracchi argues that the 2025 National Security Strategy marks a long-overdue shift toward clearer priorities, shared responsibility, and interest-based American leadership. - POLL: Are you better off than you were a year ago?
This week’s poll asks readers to reflect on their personal financial situation and whether they feel better off than they were a year ago as economic conditions continue to shift. - Opinion: Does tailgating cause speeding?
Target Zero Manager Doug Dahl examines whether tailgating contributes to speeding and explains why following too closely increases crash risk with little benefit. - Opinion: ‘The Democrats’ part of the bargain’
Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance reflects on a New Year’s Eve encounter and a Bill Maher commentary to assess what he sees as cultural and political changes from the past year. - Free fares on New Year’s Eve is a big hit with C-TRAN riders
C-TRAN’s New Year’s Eve free-fare program provided extended late-night service and a safe transportation option for riders across Clark County just after midnight.
