Earned Income Tax Credits

Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) are both credits available to program recipients with earnings. The Earned Income Tax Credits have no effect on your public benefits. You can also claim prior year EITCs up to three years back if you find out you are eligible for tax credits but didn’t file. You can also amend your filed tax return up to three years back if you didn’t originally claim these tax credits. Below is additional information for each type of Earned Income Tax Credits offered.

State CalEITC:

The California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) offers support for low-income, working Californians and their families. If you qualify, you may be eligible for cash back or a reduction of the taxes you owe. The CalEITC might also enable you to qualify for the Young Child and Foster Youth Tax Credits. The CalEITC requires filing your state tax return (form 540 2EZ or 540) and form FTB 3514.

To see if you qualify, how to apply, or claim prior tax years, visit the FTB page

Federal EITC:

The federal Earned Income Tax Credit offers support for low-income working families and individuals. If you qualify, you may be eligible for cash back or a reduction of the taxes you owe. If you qualify for the EITC, you may also qualify for the Child Tax Credit and the Credit for Other Dependents, Child and Dependent Care Credit, and Education Credits. The federal EITC requires filing your federal tax return (form 1040EZ, 1040 or 1040A) and the Schedule Earned Income Credit which can be found in the Federal Income Tax Return Booklet.

To see if you qualify, how to apply, or claim prior tax years, visit the IRS page

General information about Tax Credits can be found on the IRS and FTB webpages.