Earned Income Tax Credit.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal refundable tax credit for individuals with low to moderate income. Qualified individuals receive a credit on their federal tax return. The size of an individual's benefit from the EITC depends on the recipient's income, marital status, and number of children. The credit amount is a fixed percentage of earnings that increases with each dollar earned until it reaches a maximum level and then begins to phase out at higher income levels. The EITC is refundable, meaning it can exceed an individual's income tax liability.
To be eligible for the federal EITC, an individual must either be of any age and have at least one qualifying child or be between the ages of 25 to 64 with no qualifying children. Claimants must be either a United States citizen or a resident alien and have a valid Social Security number (SSN). For the purposes of the EITC, "earned income" includes wages, salaries, tips, and other employee compensation, plus net earnings from self-employment for the taxable year. A person is not eligible for the EITC if their aggregate amount of disqualified income such as interest, dividends, or capital gain income exceeds $3,500 in the taxable year.
For tax year 2020, in order to qualify for the EITC, an individual's adjusted gross income (AGI) must be less than:
Working Families Tax Exemption.
In 2008 the Legislature enacted a state-level benefit program called the Working Families Tax Exemption (WFTE) that was based in part on the federal EITC program. The state exemption is modeled as a sales and use tax remittance program. To be eligible, a person must have paid Washington state and local sales and use taxes, received a federal EITC benefit, have been a resident of Washington for more than 180 days for the year in which the exemption is claimed, and apply to the Department of Revenue (DOR) for the remittance.
For remittances made in 2011 and thereafter, the remittance for the prior year is equal to the greater of 10 percent of the credit granted from the EITC or $50.
The exemption program is under the administrative purview of the DOR, and is required to be authorized in the state operating budget act before any exemption benefits may be paid. The program has never been fully funded or authorized in an enacted state operating budget.
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is an identification number used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the administration of tax laws. It is a tax processing number only available for certain nonresident and resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents who cannot get an SSN. It is issued either by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or by the IRS. An SSN is issued by the SSA whereas all other ITINs are issued by the IRS.
Individuals who file taxes using an ITIN in lieu of an SSN are added to those who qualify for the state WFTE program. The requirement that a person must have been granted a federal EITC is removed. The remittance of 10 percent of the granted EITC is eliminated.
A new base remittance amount for the state WFTE program is established as follows:
The minimum credit for qualifying persons is $50.
The base remittance amount for the WFTE is reduced by varying percentages beginning at particular income levels that vary based on the number of qualifying children:
To receive a remittance, eligible persons must apply to the DOR. Receipt of the remittance may not be used in eligibility determinations for any state income support programs or in making public charge determinations.
Beginning in 2024 and annually thereafter, remittance amounts will be adjusted for inflation based on changes in the consumer price index. The DOR must design and implement a public information campaign to inform eligible persons of the existence of the working families tax exemption.
(In support) The WFTE has previously not been prioritized by this state, but there is so much support for expanding and implementing this program. This bill is focused on helping working people who often work multiple jobs and are important consumers supporting our economy. We should prioritize working families in our path to economic recovery. People of color would account for nearly 40 percent of eligible households under this program. This would help low income families with the ability to pay off debt and buy healthy food. This bill would be an important lifeline for so many people during difficult economic times. Low-income families pay a disproportionate amount of their income in taxes, and the amount of refunds available under this proposal would open many opportunities to those households. Reliance on food banks is on the rise in this state, and direct cash assistance can help with people who do not qualify for other government benefits. Working people, immigrants, the disabled, and others most impacted by the pandemic are struggling more than ever. Everyone pays sales tax regardless of citizenship status. Those who file taxes using ITINs pay taxes and pay for benefits that they never receive. Limited financial resources can entrap people in abusive relationships, and providing more access to cash gives survivors more choices and resources such as the ability to travel away from their abusers, mental health treatment, and other necessary items. People all over the state are struggling to make ends meet. This tax credit would help struggling families to pay for basic necessities, rent, and health care. Our current tax system is neither fair nor equitable. Taxes include both social policy and economic policy, and our current tax policy fails when looked at from both perspectives. If we pass this without additional funding, it will just be taking money away from other supportive programs. This is an important opportunity to make good on promises made 13 years ago. This would reach kids and rural communities in the state at very high rates.
(Opposed) None.
(In support) The Working Families Tax Exemption (WFTE) program will help families with rent, utilities, and other mounting expenses. While there would be costs to the state to administer the program, the benefits for working class families would be significant. Many low-income families are under economic strain due to the pandemic. The federal government has been slow to act to provide additional stimulus funding. Funding the WFTE is one way for the state to act. The program is vital for our state's economic recovery. Programs like the WFTE have shown a stimulative effect. The WFTE recipients will spend the remittances they receive within their communities and at local businesses. Funding the WFTE presents an opportunity to change the narrative around providing welfare, which has historically been tied to harmful stereotypes.
The changes in the bill improve upon the original program as it was enacted in 2008. Including individuals who use an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) is an especially positive change, as it allows all taxpayers to access the program. Individuals using an ITIN pay state and federal taxes but are generally excluded from benefit programs. The WFTE will help ITIN filers pay for basic expenses. Because of Washington's tax code, low-income residents, including ITIN filers, pay a higher proportion of their income in taxes than other residents. All residents, including ITIN filers, should have equal access to relief.
(Opposed) None.