Revised Code of Washington
Wash. Rev. Code § 49.52.060 (2026)
Authorized withholding
✓ current as of May 2026
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The provisions of RCW 49.52.050 shall not make it unlawful for an employer to withhold or divert any portion of an employee's wages when required or empowered so to do by state or federal law or when a deduction has been expressly authorized in writing in advance by the employee for a lawful purpose accruing to the benefit of such employee nor shall the provisions of RCW 49.52.050 make it unlawful for an employer to withhold deductions for medical, surgical, or hospital care or service, pursuant to any rule or regulation: PROVIDED, That the employer derives no financial benefit from such deduction and the same is openly, clearly and in due course recorded in the employer's books.
[ 1939 c 195 s 2; RRS s 7612-22.]
Notes:
Penalty for coercion as to purchase of goods, meals, etc.: RCW 49.48.020.
Wages to be paid in lawful money or negotiable order, penalty: RCW 49.48.010.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9
cases (7 in the last 5 years), 2015–2026 · leading case: Kitsap Cnty. Deputy Sheriffs' Guild v. Kitsap Cnty., 353 P.3d 188 (Wash. 2015).
Kitsap Cnty. Deputy Sheriffs' Guild v. Kitsap Cnty., 353 P.3d 188 (Wash. 2015). “RCW 49.52.060. Our state law authorizes employers to make deductions from an employees’ future wage payments if that employee previously received an overpayment of wages, RCW 49.”
Kitsap Cnty. Deputy Sheriffs' Guild v. Kitsap Cnty. (Wash. 2015). “RCW 49.52.060. Our state law authorizes employers to make deductions from an employees' future wage payments if that employee previously received an overpayment of wages, RCW 49.”
Rojas v. Int'l Paper Co. (E.D. Wash. 2025). “Code § 296-128-620 ; (6) unlawful deductions and 12 rebates, in violation of Wash. Rev. Code § 49.52.060 and Wash. Admin.”
Rodriguez (E.D. Wash. 2026). “210 and WAC 20 296-128-620 for failure to accrue and allow use of paid sick leave; (6) violations of 1 RCW 49.52.060 and WAC 296-126-028 for unlawful deductions and rebates; (7) 2 violation of RCW 49.”
Horton v. Americool Heating & A/C LLC (W.D. Wash. 2023). “2 Fifth, for unlawful wage deductions in violation of the Wage Rebate Act, RCW 49.52.060, and 3 WAC 296‐126‐028 (“Count V”).”
Taber v. Cascade Designs Incoporated (W.D. Wash. 2023). “Defendants cite RCW 49.52.060, which states in relevant part 17 that it is lawful 18 for an employer to withhold or divert any portion of an employee’s wages when required or empowered so to do by state or federal 19 law or when a deduction has been expressly authorized in…”
Taber v. Cascade Designs Incoporated (W.D. Wash. 2023). “Defendants cite RCW 49.52.060, which states in relevant part 24 that it is lawful 1 for an employer to withhold or divert any portion of an employee’s wages when required or empowered so to do by state or federal 2 law or when a deduction has been expressly authorized in writing…”
Bruce v. Sellen Constr. Co Inc (W.D. Wash. 2025). “to incur employer 10 expenses” without reimbursement, in violation of RCW 49.52.060. Dkt. # 13 at 9, ¶ 5.23; id.”
Tyrone Washington v. Kerry Inc (W.D. Wash. 2025). “210 and WAC 296-128-620 – Failure to Accrue and Allow Use of Paid Sick Leave; (6) Violations of RCW 49.52.060 and WAC 296-126-028 – Unlawful Deductions 8 and Rebates; (7) Violation of RCW 49.”
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