Seattle's Free Tax Help and Washington's Working Families Tax Credit
Washington's Working Families Tax Credit pays $50 to $1,330 to working households, including families who file with an ITIN. It isn't part of your federal return, so many people who qualify never claim it. Here's how it works, how to apply, and where Seattle residents can get free help with both the credit and their federal taxes.
AT A GLANCE
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The refund that doesn't come with your federal return
When you file a federal return, the IRS handles the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. Washington's Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) is separate. DOR describes it as a refund of part of the sales tax you paid each year. You claim it with its own application after your federal return is filed.
That extra step is where people lose money. DOR's 2026 program report, last updated October 20, 2026, estimates up to 350,000 individuals or families are eligible. It shows about 330,300 applications received and 290,100 refunded since February 1. The amount refunded so far is $214,740,000.
Individuals and families may receive up to $1,330 back if they meet certain eligibility requirements.
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Do you qualify?
DOR's rules for the 2025 credit, which you apply for now, require all of the following:
A valid SSN or ITIN for you, and for your spouse and children if you include them.
At least 183 days living in Washington during 2025, which is more than half the year.
Age 25 to 64, or a qualifying child. If you have no qualifying child, you must be at least 25 and under 65.
A filed 2025 federal tax return.
Eligibility for the federal EITC, or you'd meet the EITC rules except that you file with an ITIN.
The income limits and maximum amounts
Your income must be below these amounts. The credit then shrinks as income rises, similar to the federal EITC, but never goes below $50.
Qualifying children | Single, head of household or married filing separately | Married filing jointly | Maximum credit |
|---|---|---|---|
0 | $19,104 | $26,214 | $335 |
1 | $50,434 | $57,554 | $660 |
2 | $57,310 | $64,430 | $995 |
3 or more | $61,555 | $68,675 | $1,330 |
Situations DOR answers directly
No current job: You don't need to be working now. You need earned income in the tax year you're claiming.
Experiencing homelessness: You don't need a street address. A letter from a shelter or community group can confirm you lived in a Washington area for at least 183 days.
Child living with a spouse out of state: The child can still count if the main applicant lives in Washington for the required 183 days. The child must also meet the other qualifying-child rules.
Waiting on an ITIN: You can apply before the IRS issues it. DOR holds the application and processes it once you send the number.
Foreign income: Filing Form 2555 for foreign income disqualifies you.
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ITIN filers and privacy
DOR says WFTC information won't be shared with federal agencies unless a statute authorizes it. State law bars DOR from disclosing citizenship or immigration status except when required, for example by a court order.
On September 18, 2026, a new federal public charge rule took effect. DOR's ITIN page says the WFTC refund "possibly" could be considered under it, because immigration officers can now weigh any factor they consider relevant. DOR can't give legal advice. If you're worried, talk to an immigration attorney first. DOR points people to the CLEAR Hotline (888-201-1014) and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project's Seattle office (206-587-4009).
DOR also says the WFTC payment generally isn't counted as income for other benefits. However, each benefits agency makes its own decisions. DSHS's number is 877-501-2233.
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Three ways to apply
Method | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
Online, free | Apply in My DOR, DOR's secure system | English and Spanish; works in a phone's browser |
Tax software and services | File through a tax preparer company that offers the WFTC | Use DOR's "Find a tax preparer company" list |
Paper, free | Download the PDF, then mail or hand-deliver it | Available in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Khmer, Korean, Marshallese, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Ukrainian and Vietnamese |
Mail paper applications to: Washington State Department of Revenue, Attn: Working Families Tax Credit Division, PO Box 47468, Olympia, WA 98504-7468.
Before you call
☐ A copy of the federal tax return you filed with the IRS (attach the entire return if you apply online or on paper)
☐ SSN or ITIN and date of birth for you, your spouse and each child
☐ Your Washington driver's license or ID number, if you have one
☐ Your home and mailing addresses
☐ Bank routing and account numbers if you want direct deposit. You can also choose a prepaid debit card or paper check.
Mistakes that slow your refund
DOR warns that three mistakes delay refunds. One is applying more than once; call 360-763-7300 to fix an application instead of resubmitting. Another is typos in SSNs, ITINs or birth dates. The third is leaving out part of your federal return.
DOR's site currently says processing times are over 90 days because of record application numbers. Starting October 1, its phone lines are open only 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Other days, the line is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific, Monday through Friday, and closed Wednesdays from 8 to 9 a.m.
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Free help in Seattle
DOR's Seattle office
You can apply at a kiosk or get in-person help year-round at DOR's Seattle office, 2101 4th Ave, Suite 1400 (206-727-5300). Other nearby offices are in Bothell (12100 NE 195th St, Suite 100) and Kent (20819 72nd Ave S, Suite 680).
United Way of King County Free Tax Preparation
United Way of King County runs free tax sites where IRS-certified volunteers prepare your federal return. They can also help you claim the WFTC, in person or virtually. The program is closed for the season and plans to reopen in January. Until then, email freetax@uwkc.org. The program has no phone line.
For the 2026 season, it served single filers who earned $80,000 or less in 2025 and other filers who earned $96,000 or less. It didn't require clients to live in King County. Its volunteers can't prepare some returns, including ones with crypto sales, rental property income, income earned outside Washington, or other states' returns.
What to bring to a United Way site | Why it matters |
|---|---|
Photo ID, plus your spouse if you're filing jointly | Both spouses should come |
Social Security card or ITIN for everyone on the return | Prior-year returns no longer count as proof of your SSN |
W-2s, 1099s and Social Security income statements | So volunteers can report all your income |
Form 1095-A if anyone had Washington Healthplanfinder coverage | Needed for the premium tax credit |
Last paystub if you were paid overtime or tips | Helps with the newer overtime and tips rules |
Bank routing and account numbers | For direct deposit; sites can help if you don't have an account |
If you'd rather file online with a volunteer, United Way uses GetYourRefund.org. You upload photos of your ID and documents, a volunteer reviews them, and you pick a time for your return to be prepared. United Way asks you to wait until you have all your documents before you open an account.
Other free options
IRS VITA and TCE sites: These are for people who generally make about $70,244 or less, people with disabilities, and people who speak limited English. Call 800-906-9887 or use the IRS locator.
AARP Tax-Aide: Free tax preparation and help with WFTC applications. Call 888-227-7669.
Community groups: DOR lists PIM Savvy (206-565-2961, option 3) and United Way of King County as WFTC partners for King County, including help with ITINs.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
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Related help
If your family files with an ITIN, see how to renew an expiring ITIN before tax season. For why the federal EITC refund arrives later, read EITC refund timing. For more local resources, browse our Seattle financial help guides.
Official sources
Last checked: October 23, 2026. WFTC amounts and limits are for the 2025 credit; United Way's income limits are from its 2026 season and may change for 2027.
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