OLYMPIA, Wash.-Lawmakers in the Washington state House passed a bill on Monday, Jan. 29 to streamline the Working Families’ Tax Credit (WFTC) program so it can be administered more efficiently.

House Bill 1895, would clarify the nature of the WFTC credit, streamline the application process by simplifying income verification and would eliminate unnecessary delays, according to a press release from Washington House Democrats.

“This bill simply makes the program more user-friendly and effective, ensuring more people can access the financial support they deserve," said  My-Linh Thai (D-Bellevue), who introduced the bill.

HB 1895 now heads to the state Senate for full consideration.

The Working Families Tax Credit is a program run by the state Department of Revenue and provides a refund that helps workers in Washington and their families get more money back at tax time by returning a portion of the sales tax paid each year.

According to the Washington state Department of Revenue, the credit amount varies based on income level and the number of qualifying children in a household.

Eligibility requirements for the Working Families Tax Credit:

  • Have a valid Social Security Number or an Individual Taxpayer ID number.
  • Must have lived in Washington a minimum of 183 days in 2023.
  • Be at least 25 years old and under age 65 or have a qualifying child.
  • Filed a 2023 federal tax return.