SPOKANE, Wash. — Tax season is underway, and new federal changes could significantly impact how much money families receive in refunds this year, with parents, seniors and service workers positioned to see the biggest increases.
Congress approved President Trump’s comprehensive economic legislation in July. The act prioritized several tax cuts that are now taking effect during the current filing season.
Seniors over 65 living on reduced incomes can now qualify for a $1,500 to $3,000 increase to their standard deduction under the new provisions. Additionally, child tax credits increased by $200 per child.
“If you’ve got, you know, 1, 2, 4 kids, that really can make a huge difference,” said Brian Williams, a certified public accountant with Spokane Tax Pros.
Williams identified another group likely to see significant refunds this year: service and hospitality workers. The new legislation includes provisions that could substantially reduce their tax burden.
“There’s no tax on certain amounts of overtime subject to income limitations. And then, also no tax on tips,” Williams explained.
However, taxpayers will need proper documentation to qualify for these benefits. While the relevant information might already appear on W-2 forms, Williams recommends that workers also check their December pay stubs for year-to-date calculations to ensure they have complete records.
Free tax preparation assistance is available at several Spokane County Library locations through April 13. The official deadline to file taxes is April 15.
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