Claim earned income tax credits

A tax credit means more money in your pocket. Families may receive hundreds or even thousands of dollars in their tax refund! That’s money you can use for rent, school tuition, utilities, groceries, and other expenses. Use our free calculator to see what tax credits you may be eligible for.

Tax Credits

You may qualify for cash back

Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

Participants who made less than $66,819 may be eligible for up to $7,830 in Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

You may qualify for Federal EITC if you meet the following requirements:

  • Be between the ages of 25 to 65 years old
  • Have worked and earned income under $66,819 if married filing jointly ($59,899 if filing as single, HoH, married filing separately or widowed)
  • Have investment income below $11,600 in the tax year 2024
  • Have a valid Social Security number
  • Be a U.S. citizen or a resident alien all year

California residents who made less than $31,950 may be eligible for up to $3,644 in California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC).

You may qualify for CalEITC if you meet the following requirements:

  • You are at least 18 years old
  • Have earned income between $1 to $31,950
  • Work for an employer (W-2) or are self-employed (1099)
  • Have a valid Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
  • Lived in California for at least half the tax year
  • Cannot be claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return
  • Have less than $4,674 in investment income

Parents who are eligible for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC)
and had a child under the age of 6 at the end of the tax year may also qualify for
another refundable tax credit of up to $1,154 through the Young Child Tax Credit
(YCTC). Unlike the CalEITC, no earned income is required to claim the YCTC if
you otherwise meet the CalEITC and YCTC requirements. Children in families
receiving these tax credits do better in school, are likelier to attend college, and
can be expected to earn more as adults.

Your state tax return must be filed to claim the CalEITC and the YCTC. Tax filers
with an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), including undocumented
workers, are now eligible for the CalEITC and the YCTC.

You may qualify for a new Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC) of up to $1,154 cash back if you:

  • Qualify for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC)
  • Were between the ages of 18 and 25 at the end of the tax year
  • Were in the California foster care system at age 13 or older and placed through the California foster care system
  • Satisfy foster care verification requirement

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) must verify your foster
youth status using a statewide database to claim this credit.

Filing Taxes Has Never Been Easier

CLAIM EARNED INCOME TAX CREDITS

With the Federal and California Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC), you may qualify for cash back!

YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR CASH BACK

If you earned less than $60,000, you may be eligible to claim up to $6,935 in federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). And if you earned less than $30,000, you may also be eligible for up to $3,417 in California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC). 

Eligible families must file their tax returns in order to claim the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credit – a benefit for working people who have low to moderate income.

A tax credit means more money in your pocket. It reduces the amount of tax you owe and may also give you a refund. Families may receive hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars between these two credits! That’s money you can use for rent, school tuition, utilities, groceries, and other expenses.

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What would you do with extra money?

The California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), along with a similar federal credit, can result in hundreds or even thousands of extra dollars. 

California residents who made less than $30,000 may be eligible for up to $3,417 depending on income and family size. 

The amount of CalEITC you may be eligible for depends on how much money you earn from work. 

Children in families receiving the tax credits do better in school, are likelier to attend college, and can be expected to earn more as adults. 

The California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), along with a similar federal credit, can result in hundreds or even thousands of extra dollars. 

California residents who made less than $30,000 may be eligible for up to $3,160 depending on income and family size. 

The amount of CalEITC you may be eligible for depends on how much money you earn from work. Use our calculator to find out how much money you could get back. 

Children in families receiving the tax credits do better in school, are likelier to attend college, and can be expected to earn more as adults. 

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OC Free Tax Prep no tagline 4c 1

CASH BACK CALCULATOR

Use our calculator to estimate how much cash back you may qualify to claim when filing your 2022 tax return through the California EITC, Federal EITC and Young Child Tax Credit.

Get Support Filing Your Taxes

An IRS-certified tax preparer volunteer can work with you to file your 2022 Federal and California state income tax returns and claim these tax credits. 

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