Your paychecks are about to be taxed again in Washington state. "Ugh," is right. (Sorry, I could hear you groaning from over here.) I am old enough to remember seeing the tax on my paychecks and then they suddenly disappeared. It wasn't that the new tax was rescinded, it was because it had been put on a COVID pandemic pause. The long term care tax is back and there is still a final way you an opt-out before the deadline, but you'll have to hurry!

WHAT IS THE LONG-TERM CARE TAX IN WASHINGTON STATE?

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Residents of Washington state earn the benefit of receiving long-term care that is paid for with the WA Cares tax. The tax is officially labeled a "premium", akin to a "premium" that you pay your medical, vision, dental insurance company in order to receive discounted health care.

This premium will be taxed to each person who is employed and residing in Washington and there are limited ways to prevent this tax on your paycheck.

"The program provides everyone with a modest level of coverage and people who want more can buy supplemental private insurance." - WA Cares Fund

 

HOW MUCH IS THE WA LONG-TERM CARE TAX?

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Your paycheck will be taxed 58 cents for every $100 you make. When you need to use the long-term care tax, you will be eligible to receive long-term care services coverage up to $36,500, which will be adjusted for inflation each year.

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CAN I OPT OUT OF WA LONG TERM CARE TAX?

How to Opt Out of WA Long Term Tax
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You may qualify to prevent this WA Cares tax from being snatched out of your paychecks if you:

  • Are a non-immigrant work visa
  • A veteran with at least 70% service-connected disability
  • The spouse/registered partner of an active United States military member

You must fill out the exemption request before the June 1st deadline. It will be processed by the Employment Security Department. Once approved, you will be sent a letter to turn in to your company's payroll department so that they can remove the required tax from your paychecks. If you qualify for an exemption, you will need to have these documents when you apply.

NOTE: Exemptions will take effect the quarter after your application is approved. - wacaresfund.gov

HOW TO OPT OUT OF WA LONG TERM CARE TAX?

Opt out here. For more info about the Washington state long-term care premium tax, click here.

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