The mandatory payroll tax for the state’s new WA Cares Fund long-term care insurance program will begin on your July 6 paycheck. The premium is 0.58% of gross wages (58 cents per $100). The initial maximum value of the benefit will be $36,500 (adjusted annually for inflation).

The WA Cares Fund deduction will appear on your paystub, as shown below, in the Taxes section under the description “WA LTC/EE.” Note, also in this section are deductions for Washington’s mandatory Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, which began in 2019. PFML deductions are split into two parts and appear on your paystub as “WA MLI/EE” (for medical) and “WA FLI/EE” (for family coverage).

WA Cares Fund exemptions

Some employees may be eligible for a permanent or conditional exemption from the WA Cares Fund. To learn more, go to Exemptions. If you are approved for an exemption by the state, send a copy of your exemption letter and your nine-digit PeopleSoft ID# by email to WA.CARES.Exemption.Letters@kingcounty.gov or by U.S. mail to Central Payroll WA CARES, 401 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.

If you already submitted your approved exemption letter to King County, you should have received a confirmation email from King County Central Payroll. No further action is required.

WA Cares payroll deductions are non-refundable.

More information

King County does not administer any part of the WA Cares Fund beyond collecting premiums via payroll deduction and reporting employee pay and hours to the ESD. For more information about the program, Contact the WA Cares Fund or go to Learn More.