WA Legislators Approve Delay to WA Cares Fund Payroll Tax

(Olympia, WA) Washington State lawmakers are approving legislation to delay the start of Washington's new long-term care payroll tax. The WA Cares Fund was approved by lawmakers in 2019, but the Senate voted Wednesday to pass two House bills that would halt the WA Cares Fund to fix various problems with it--including the possibility that some people could pay into the tax without ever reaping any benefits.

House Bill 1732 would delay the implementation of the payroll tax until July 2023 and refund any premiums that have been collected before that date. HB 1733 would allow more people to opt out of the payroll tax. Both bills advance Governor Jay Inslee's Office. He is expected to sign them into law.