The EITC provides a tax refund to people making less than $14,000 a year. The state’s Franchise Tax Board says a family that qualifies will get an average of $900. Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins says that’s a lot of money, especially when paired with the federal EITC.
“We think it’s pretty significant in terms of helping the lowest and most vulnerable Californians be able to maximize, a little bit, the tax credit," she says. "And if they combine it with the federal tax credit, it could mean pretty significant resources for a struggling, working California family.”
Atkins pushed hard for the new tax credit, which will benefit about 2 million people at a cost of about $380 million. But she acknowledges lawmakers made a conscious decision to target the EITC toward a smaller group of very poor Californians, rather than giving a lesser benefit to more people.
Concerns Over Leaving Others Behind
Alissa Anderson, with the California Budget and Policy Center, says the tax credit’s narrow focus leaves a lot of families behind.
“For example, a parent with two kids who’s working full time all year long at the minimum wage has an income right around the poverty line," she says, "but actually earns too much to qualify for the new credit.”
Anderson also questions the state’s decision to exempt self-employed workers from the credit.
“Basically, what that means is that very low-earning workers who maybe are having trouble finding a job with an employer, but who have the motivation to start their own business or patch together odd jobs to make ends meet, won’t be eligible for the credit," Anderson says.
Atkins says she’d like to see the credit expanded in the future to include more people. But first they have to make sure people who are eligible now take advantage of it.
“The quicker we get this information out the better," Atkins says. "Because I recall, when I was a minimum wage earner, I filed my taxes as soon as I could because it meant money back typically.”
Back at the Sacramento tax preparation event, single mom Anderson-Munoz waits patiently to hear whether she qualifies for the state’s new credit. After the numbers are plugged in, Anderson-Munoz finds out she qualifies for a $681 credit. She is overjoyed.
"Oh my gosh, are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? Thank you so much! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" she exclaims.
Between the federal and state tax credits, Anderson-Munoz will get more than $5,000 back. She says she plans to use some of it to throw her daughter a Sweet 16 party.
