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Bill

HB 1224

Modifying the working families' tax credit by enhancing collection services and increasing participation rates through data-sharing agreements.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Bergquist and 6 co-sponsors

Washington bill expands tax credit eligibility outreach by authorizing inter-agency data-sharing to identify and enroll more low-income working families in the WFTC program.

First reading, referred to Finance.
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Bill Summary · HB 1224

Legislative bill overview

HB 1224 modifies Washington's Working Families' Tax Credit (WFTC) by authorizing enhanced collection services and expanding data-sharing agreements between state agencies to increase program participation rates. The bill aims to improve outreach and enrollment efficiency by allowing agencies to share relevant taxpayer and benefit recipient information to identify eligible individuals who aren't currently claiming the credit.

Why is this important

The Working Families' Tax Credit provides up to $1,200 annually to low-income working families, but participation rates remain significantly below eligibility estimates—meaning thousands of eligible households miss out on tax relief. By streamlining identification and enrollment processes, this bill could increase actual benefit distribution and reduce administrative burden on eligible families, particularly those earning between $25,000-$50,000 annually.

Potential points of contention

  • Data privacy concerns: Expanded data-sharing between agencies raises questions about consent, data security, and whether citizens should expect notification when their information is shared across government systems
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill references "enhanced collection services" without specifying what this entails, leaving uncertainty about scope and potential compliance costs
  • Implementation costs: Establishing new data-sharing infrastructure and outreach mechanisms requires state resources, and the bill doesn't specify funding mechanisms or budget impacts

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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