Effective January 1, 2011, the home equity limit for single persons applying for Medicaid long-term care coverage was increased from $500,000 to $506,000.

Registered Domestic Partners (RDP’s) in community property states like Washington must report one-half of all community income on each of their income tax returns.

Generally, the amount that can pass free of these taxes in the years 2010 to 2012 was increased to $5 million for a single person and $10 million for a married couple.

Federal tax refunds received after December 31, 2009 are to be disregarded as income or an asset for one year from the date of receipt for federal benefit programs including Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), and TANF or state benefit programs funded in part with federal money. The exclusion applies to tax refunds received between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012. The exclusion applies to all federal tax refunds, not just earned income tax credits.