Washington state residents have a chance to benefit from the Working Families Tax Credit Program, aimed at providing additional financial support during tax season. Eligible individuals and families can now apply for the tax year 2023, with potential refunds of up to $1,255.

Last year, the program distributed over $100 million to Washingtonians, benefiting nearly 163,000 applicants. However, officials estimate that around 400,000 individuals or families across the state could qualify for this assistance, emphasizing the need for more people to apply.

Kevin Dixon, assistant director of the WFTC division at the Washington Department of Revenue, highlights the importance of outreach, noting that many eligible recipients have yet to claim their refunds. To address this, significant legislative changes have been implemented, allowing families to apply for credits they were eligible for but didn’t claim for up to three years from the federal tax return’s due date.

Key eligibility criteria include having a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), residing in Washington for at least 183 days in 2023, falling within the age range of 25 to 64, or having a qualifying child. Applicants must have also filed a federal tax return for 2023 and be eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or meet its requirements when filing with an ITIN.

With these guidelines in mind, eligible residents are encouraged to take advantage of the Working Families Tax Credit Program to ease financial burdens and secure additional refunds. Applications for the 2023 tax year are currently open, offering a valuable opportunity for individuals and families to receive much-needed support.