The Washington Working Families Tax Credit is a refundable state credit worth up to $1,330 a year for lower-income workers, and you claim it by filing a separate application with the Department of Revenue after you file your federal tax return. It pays you directly even if you owe no state tax. Because Washington has no income tax, the credit arrives as a refund from the Department of Revenue rather than a line on a state return.
Who Qualifies
Four things decide eligibility: your age or whether you have a qualifying child, your Washington residency, your income, and your federal return.
You must be at least 25 and under 65, or have a qualifying child at any age within that range.1Washington State Legislature. RCW 82.08.0206 – Working Families Tax Credit You must have lived in Washington for at least 183 days during the tax year you’re claiming.2Washington Administrative Code. Washington Administrative Code 458-20-285 – Working Families Tax Credit You must file a federal income tax return for that year and generally meet the eligibility rules for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit.
One important difference from the federal EITC: Washington accepts an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number in place of a Social Security Number. ITIN holders who would qualify for the federal credit except for the SSN rule can still receive the state credit.2Washington Administrative Code. Washington Administrative Code 458-20-285 – Working Families Tax Credit
How Much You Can Receive
The amount depends on your filing status, income, and how many qualifying children you have. For tax year 2025, the maximums are:3Washington State Working Families Tax Credit. Eligibility
- No qualifying children: up to $335
- One qualifying child: up to $660
- Two qualifying children: up to $995
- Three or more qualifying children: up to $1,330
Anyone who qualifies receives at least $50, whatever their family size. The dollar figures adjust each year based on the Seattle-area consumer price index and are rounded to the nearest $5.2Washington Administrative Code. Washington Administrative Code 458-20-285 – Working Families Tax Credit
Income Caps
Your income has to fall below these ceilings for tax year 2025:3Washington State Working Families Tax Credit. Eligibility
- No children: $19,104 single or head of household; $26,214 married filing jointly
- One child: $50,434 single; $57,554 joint
- Two children: $57,310 single; $64,430 joint
- Three or more children: $61,555 single; $68,675 joint
The credit doesn’t disappear the moment you cross a threshold. It phases out gradually as earnings rise, so a small raise won’t wipe it out.1Washington State Legislature. RCW 82.08.0206 – Working Families Tax Credit The calculation starts from the adjusted gross income on your federal return.
How to Apply
The credit is not automatic. You have to file a separate application, most easily through the Department of Revenue’s MyDOR online portal. Have these ready before you start:4Washington State Working Families Tax Credit. Apply
- A complete copy of your federal return (Form 1040 or 1040-SR with all schedules). You’ll enter wages from Line 1z and adjusted gross income from Line 11a.5Washington State Department of Revenue. 2025 Working Families Tax Credit Application Instructions
- SSNs or ITINs and dates of birth for you, your spouse if applicable, and any qualifying children
- Your Washington driver’s license or state ID number, if you have one
- Your residential and mailing addresses
- Bank routing and account numbers if you want direct deposit
You must attach your entire federal return, whether you apply online or on paper. Errors on SSN, ITIN, or date-of-birth fields are the most common reason applications get flagged, so check those twice. If you notice a mistake after submitting, don’t file a second application. Call the Department of Revenue at 360-763-7300 to request a correction.4Washington State Working Families Tax Credit. Apply
Deadlines
You have a long window. For tax year 2025, the standard deadline is December 31, 2029. Washington allows retroactive claims for up to three years after the calendar year your federal return was originally due.2Washington Administrative Code. Washington Administrative Code 458-20-285 – Working Families Tax Credit A 2022 tax year claim, for example, has to be in by December 31, 2026, because that federal return was due in 2023. The department can extend deadlines for good cause, but that isn’t a plan to rely on.
How Your Refund Arrives
Once approved, you can receive the money three ways:
- Direct deposit to your bank account
- Paper check mailed to the address on your application
- A prepaid Visa debit card issued by U.S. Bank, with your full refund loaded onto it; no bank account or credit check needed6Washington State Working Families Tax Credit. Prepaid Debit Cards
The prepaid card arrives in a plain white envelope within about seven to ten business days after approval and works anywhere Visa is accepted, including ATMs. Two things to know: the card is issued only in the primary applicant’s name, and once the department sends your refund to a card, you can’t switch to a different payment method. If your mailing address changes after you apply, contact the department right away.
Checking Your Status
Processing takes up to 90 days. You can track your application through the status tool on the WFTC website using your tax year, the last four digits of your SSN or ITIN, your date of birth, and the income figure from Line 1z of your Form 1040.7Washington State Working Families Tax Credit. Refund If reviewers find a problem, they’ll send a notice asking for more information.
If You’re Denied
You can file a review petition with the Department of Revenue’s Administrative Review and Hearings Division. Include a copy of the denial notice and any documents that back up your claim. You can also request a hearing, remote or in person, to walk through your situation. Petitions can go in by mail, fax, or email to the division in Olympia.
Most denials come down to a mismatch between the WFTC application and the federal return, the residency requirement, or income above the caps. A data entry error is usually straightforward to fix through the petition process. A denial rooted in a federal EITC disqualification is harder and may require amending your federal return first.
Effect on Other Benefits
The Working Families Tax Credit does not count as income for programs like TANF, SNAP, or Medicaid. Claiming it will not change your eligibility for those benefits. If you’ve been avoiding the credit for fear that a refund would push you over a housing or food assistance limit, that concern doesn’t apply here.
Free Help With Your Application
If you earn roughly $69,000 or less, the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program prepares both federal returns and WFTC applications at no charge.8Internal Revenue Service. Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers VITA sites operate at community centers, libraries, and nonprofits across Washington from late January through mid-April. The WFTC website also lists community partners who can walk you through the application for free.