The Working Families Tax Credit Coalition engages in advocacy to improve and expand the Working Families Tax Credit. In 2024, our priority is making sure that seniors and young adults without kids can qualify for the Working Families Tax Credit.
Take action!
Tell your lawmakers you support expanding the Working Families Tax Credit by sending a letter to them.
We believe everyone deserves a boost from the Working Families Tax Credit, whether they are a young person working their way through college, or a grandparent putting in long hours to make rent. Under current Working Families Tax Credit statute, modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, people without qualifying children must be at least 25 and under the age of 65 to claim the WFTC, which means that most young adult workers and working seniors are excluded from our state tax credit. Eight other states have removed this barrier and expanded the age range of their state tax credit. Washington should be next!
In 2024, the Working Families Tax Credit Coalition is asking the legislature to pass HB 1075/SB 5249 to ensure all low income working seniors and young adults can access our state tax credit. Learn more about the impact for young adults and seniors in this fact sheet.
HB 1075 and SB 5249 would expand eligibility for the Working Families Tax Credit by removing the arbitrary age restrictions for people without child dependents, allowing everyone 18 and older to apply for this life-changing yearly cash.
By passing HB 1075/SB 5249, lawmakers have the opportunity to:
- Expand access to 114,000 more Washington households, reaching more young adults and seniors, and increasing the number of eligible households by nearly 30%.
- Provide a cash boost for self-supporting, low income young adults as they pursue education and begin their careers. These young people face the highest poverty rates of any age group in the US, and are disproportionately likely to be people of color and/or impacted by the foster care system.
- Help the growing population of working, low-income seniors cover the basics, because Social Security benefits fall short of covering things like housing, transportation, and healthcare costs.