Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Finance Committee
HB 2096
Brief Description: Concerning the working families' tax exemption, also known as the working families tax credit.
Sponsors: Representatives Thai, Frame, Berry, Sutherland, Kloba and Pollet; by request of Department of Revenue.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Makes technical clarifications to the Working Families Tax Credit.
Hearing Date: 2/1/22
Staff: Rachelle Harris (786-7137).
Background:

The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) is a state program for low- to moderate-income families that offers a partial refund credit against sales and use taxes paid.  To be eligible for credit payments, a person must:

  • have filed a federal tax return;
  • meet the requirements for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), or would meet the requirements for the EITC, but are filing with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number;
  • be at least 25 and under 65 years of age, or have a qualifying child; and
  • have lived in Washington for more than 180 days.

 
The amount of the credit varies depending on the number of qualifying children and the filer's income level.  The minimum credit amount for all eligible persons that apply is $50.  The maximum credit amount for the WFTC is reduced by varying percentages at income levels based around the maximum adjusted gross income for the federal EITC, which changes annually.  The rates of credit reduction also vary based on the number of qualifying children.
 
To receive a credit, eligible persons must apply to the Department of Revenue (DOR).  The DOR has authority to adopt rules necessary to implement and administer the program.

Summary of Bill:

The following technical corrections are made related to the WFTC program:

  • The word "exemption" is replaced with "credit."
  • The word "remittance" is replaced with "refund."
  • A needed reference to use tax statute is included.
  • References to titles within the federal internal revenue code are clarified.
  • A definition for the federal internal revenue code is added.
  • It is specified that as refund amounts are adjusted for inflation, they will be rounded to the nearest $5.
  • Fraudulent claims for the working families tax credit is added to the statutes identifying unlawful acts related to taxation that may be subject to penalties.
  • Other grammatical changes are made.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 26, 2022.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.