Washington workers aren’t seeing a new payroll tax rate this year, but the state’s long-term care program is still shifting in ways that affect your paycheck, your eligibility, and your future benefits. The WA Cares Fund continues to take 0.58% of wages, yet 2026 brings a new round of rule changes that every worker should understand. These updates reshape who qualifies, how benefits follow you if you move, and what the state is testing before the program expands statewide. For many residents, the constant adjustments feel like navigating a system that never stops evolving. Here is what is actually changing and what it means for your income.
