Is WA long-term care mandatory?
Yes. For general taxpayers who work in Washington, WA Cares is required and the premium is withheld from wages through payroll.
Is WA long-term care mandatory for every worker?
No. The rule applies to most W-2 employees earning wages in the state — yet specific groups fall outside the program. Others satisfy qualifications to be exempt.
Who pays in general?
Workers pay 0.58% of their gross wages. The state places no cap on the taxable wage amount.
Who automatically does not contribute?
The state does not deduct premiums from the following individuals unless they choose to participate:
- Federal employees stationed in Washington
- Workers at tribal businesses — if the tribe did not opt in
- Self-employed individuals — unless they actively join
- Retirees & residents who do not work
- Workers on temporary, non-immigrant visas — Beginning January 1, 2026, this exemption applies automatically unless the worker requests to pay into the fund
Can you opt out or claim an exemption?
Yes — in possible scenarios only. The eligibility varies with your employment and residency status. The employer requires an official approval letter from the state before they stop paycheck deductions.
Which exemptions are common in 2026?
It is possible to claim an exemption if you satisfy any of the below criteria:
- Permanent residence is outside of Washington
- Being married to or in a registered domestic partnership with an active-duty military member
- Being a veteran holding a service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher
What about the “private long-term care insurance opt-out”?
The state closed the initial window for the opt-out. If you hold an existing private-insurance exemption, the state allows you to cancel it & re-enter the WA Cares program. Taxpayers perform this action between January 1, 2026 and June 30, 2028.
How do you confirm the WA Cares amount on the pay stub?
- Find the deduction label — generally “WA Cares,” “WA LTC,” or similar.
- Confirm the base is the gross wages for that pay period
- Multiply gross salary by 0.0058 to estimate the expected amount
- If the line is missing or looks off, ask payroll what Washington work-location date they have on file
Example Table
When can you actually use the benefit?
Benefits become available in July 2026 for those who fulfill the necessary contribution and satisfy the care-need criteria.
Helium Day Tax & CPAs
- reviewing exemption documents & related timelines
- evaluating multi-state wages & tax withholding
- Double checking pay stubs & communicating with employers