Dear Neighbor,
I have received many calls and emails regarding the upcoming payroll tax that will be implemented next year to fund long-term care. I know many of you have questions and concerns regarding this new tax. I wanted to provide you with background information on this topic and what’s coming next. While I was not in the legislature at that time, I do not support this program and like my predecessor, I would have voted against this legislation.
In 2019, the legislature passed HB 1087 which created the WA Cares Fund. Under this bill, most Washingtonians, both public and private W-2 earners, would receive $36,500 for long term care. This will be funded by a mandatory payroll tax of 58 cents for every $100 of income starting in 2022. This is on top of all the other state and federal taxes workers already pay!