Many states are still reeling from the economic fallout of the 2009 coronavirus pandemic and are looking for ways to assist their residents, including providing a stimulus check.
After more than a decade of advocacy and years of legislative efforts, the Working Families Tax Credit was launched Wednesday by the Washington Department of Revenue. The credit could provide a maximum refund of $1,200.
Who’s Getting $1,200 Stimulus Check?
More than 400 thousand low-income households in the state will benefit from the tax credit. Individual eligibility is determined by household income and the number of eligible children.
A credit of up to $1,200 is available to families with at least three children. $50 is the minimum based on the income of eligible children. The tax credit is the result of more than a decade of lobbying by local groups, says the Washington State Budget and Policy Center.
Jay Inslee, governor of Washington, discussed the tax credit in a Medium post. Inslee reported in 2021 that a study found that middle-class Washingtonians paid 11% of their income in taxes, while those in the lowest income bracket paid 17%. Three percent of income is taxed from the highest income brackets.
Key to the refund program is the inclusion of Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) filers as potential recipients. Undocumented immigrants and some visa holders use ITINs to file taxes. People who do not qualify for a Social Security number can apply for an ITIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Read more: What is SSDI benefits and how to claim payment from this program?
How To Apply?
Those who are eligible for the credit can apply for it through the state’s website or through a federal tax preparation service that is approved by the state, such as H&R Block. Several tax software providers partnered with the Department of Revenue to offer this feature, but others, like TurboTax, will not.
In response to calls for federal action to rein in inflation, a number of states have enacted their own versions of “stimulus” legislation. Income tax rebate programs like those found in Colorado, California, and many other states are becoming increasingly common.
Many states have begun sending out stimulus checks to residents, with the amounts varying according to factors such as race, marital status, and income. Everyone in need in the United States should welcome this move.
Numerous locals will be helped by the introduction of government stimulus checks as they deal with the economic effects of the pandemic. The payments will hopefully alleviate some of the monetary stress that the affected people have been experiencing.
Read more: Claiming your Social Security benefits at 62? Here’s how to get your money earlier!