Tax Year 2023 Income Tax Return Filing

Pictures of families around text that says Claim your State and Federal tax Credits- It's your money, you earned it

Attention Californians:

The California Department of Social Services, Tax Year 2023 Income Tax Return Filing page provides individuals and families with information and resources for tax filing information and advises on credits to which they may be eligible.

The state and federal Earned Income Tax Credit, Federal Child Tax Credit, State Young Child Tax Credit, and the State Foster Youth Tax Credit are important tax benefits that can help provide eligible tax filers a significant income boost. Listed below are descriptions of tax credits available to eligible individuals and families.

Tax Credits and Resource Information

Anti-poverty Tax Credits and Public Benefits

The state and federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC), and Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC) refunds are not counted as income when your CalWORKs, CalFresh or Medi-Cal benefits are calculated. Ask your eligibility worker for more details. These tax refunds will not impact certain public assistance benefits. In addition, EITC payments are typically NOT used to determine eligibility for the following:

  • MediCal (Medicaid)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • CalFresh (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
  • Low-income housing
  • CalWORKs payments (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families-TANF)

VITA is a free basic income tax return preparation program for federal and state personal income tax returns, managed by the Internal Revenue Service and operated by Internal Revenue Service partners and trained volunteers. You may be eligible to have both your federal and state tax returns prepared and filed for free using VITA services. 

State Only:
You may be eligible to e-file your California return directly with the Franchise Tax Board for free using CalFILE

Federal/State:
You may also file your state and federal return electronically using the Get Your Refund Tool, a collaboration between the California Department of Social Services and Code for America’s easy to use tax filing platform for low-income families and individuals.

Available Tax Credits

Learn more about the available state and federal tax credits provided below. Each tab provides a description of the credit, provides links to resources and tools on whether you qualify for the credit, how to apply, and claim prior tax years if applicable.

The federal and state EITC is a refundable credit for low-income working individuals and families. 

Visit the Earned Income Tax Credit (Federal- EITC, State-CalEITC) page.

The Child Tax Credit helps families with qualifying children get a tax break. You may be able to claim the credit even if you do not normally file a tax return.

Visit the Child Tax Credit (Federal-CTC) and Young Child Tax Credit (State-YCTC) page.

The California FYTC is a refundable credit for former and current foster youth between 18 and 25 years of age who were in foster care while 13 years of age or older. The FYTC will not impact certain public assistance benefits.

Visit the Foster Youth Tax Credit page.

If you are a County Welfare Department or a Community Based Organization, help your clients and the public with the multiple resources available to help with tax information and how to file taxes for free. 

Visit the Tax Resources page.

Contact Us

CDSS Outreach Team
744 P Street, MS 8-8-139
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 651-0515
CalWORKsOutreach@dss.ca.gov

Outreach Helpline
1-888-445-1955

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