Washington workers who missed the 2022 Working Families Tax Credit still have time to check whether they qualify. The deadline to apply for that tax year is Dec. 31, 2026, and eligible households can receive up to $1,200.
Start with your 2022 tax return. This application uses your income and household circumstances from 2022, even though you are applying now. Washington’s 2022 application guide has the correct year’s figures.
Who should check?
You can qualify without children. The basic requirements for 2022 include:
- Having filed a 2022 federal income tax return and meeting the 2022 federal Earned Income Tax Credit requirements, including earned-income rules. Washington also allows people who would qualify except that they file with a valid Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or ITIN.
- Having physically lived in Washington for at least 183 days in 2022. For married couples filing jointly, the person applying must meet this residency requirement.
- Having paid Washington sales or use tax in 2022. DOR generally presumes this when the residency requirement is met.
- Being at least 25 and under 65 at the end of 2022, or having a qualifying child. For joint filers without a qualifying child, either spouse can meet the age requirement.
Additional EITC eligibility requirements apply. Special rules apply if you were married but filed separately for 2022. Review DOR’s 2022 instructions or ask DOR before applying; rules for later refund years are different.
2022 income limits and maximum refunds
Your 2022 adjusted gross income must be below the applicable limit. The refund depends on income and the number of qualifying children; these are the maximum amounts.
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married filing jointly | Maximum refund |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | $16,480 | $22,610 | $300 |
| One | $43,492 | $49,622 | $600 |
| Two | $49,399 | $55,529 | $900 |
| Three or more | $53,057 | $59,187 | $1,200 |
Source: DOR’s 2022 income table. Other eligibility requirements still apply.
How to apply
The state application is a separate step from filing your federal return. Apply for free through My DOR using the link on the 2022 tax-year page, or use DOR’s 2022 paper application, available in multiple languages.
Gather your complete filed 2022 federal return with its schedules, identifying numbers and birth dates for the people on the application, and current contact information. Have bank details ready if you choose direct deposit. A Washington driver’s license or state ID number is requested if you have one.
Submit the complete online application by Dec. 31, 2026. Mailed applications must be postmarked by that date. Use the mailing instructions for your application’s language; DOR lists a different address for translated forms.
Already applied, or need help?
Avoid submitting the same tax year’s application again. For corrections, call 360-763-7300. DOR also provides application help and refund-status information, and interpreters are available by phone.
Allow time for processing: DOR’s notice on Nov. 9 says applications are taking more than 90 days.
If you are also checking the 2025 credit, use its separate requirements and application. Its maximum is $1,330; the 2022 maximum remains $1,200.
