Economic Security
Tax Filing & Tax Credits: Informational Resources
Connecting young adults who have experienced foster care and homelessness to free tax preparation services can put hundreds or thousands of dollars in their pockets to cover basic necessities and more. With the new Foster Youth Tax Credit in California, they may qualify for up to $1,083 when they file! JBAY has created several resources with our youth advocates to assist young adults with tax filing, and provide guidance to those supporting young people to file.
The 2023 filing season starts January 23, 2023 and continues through October 15, 2023. Youth can file up to three years in prior returns. Are you a young adult looking for help filing your taxes, or an adult looking to support a young person with completing their taxes? View the roster below to make an appointment with an IRS-certified volunteer tax preparer starting February 1, 2023.
Guides & Tools
WANT AN OVERVIEW OF TAX FILING AND CREDITS FOR CURRENT AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH?
This publication is designed to help transition-age youth file their taxes and claim a cash back refund. The guide outlines information about tax laws, tax credits and deductions including the new Foster Youth Tax Credit, tax filing requirements, documentation needed to file, key terms to know, and free tax preparation services. Available in English and Spanish.
WANT TO KNOW HOW TO HELP YOUTH PREPARE FOR A TAX FILING APPOINTMENT?
Tax Prep Checklist for Transition-Age Youth (2023)
This checklist assists youth with gathering the necessary personal information and documents in preparation for their tax appointment to ensure youth file their taxes with confidence and maximize their cash back refund. The checklist includes free tax filing options. Available in English and Spanish.
KNOW A YOUTH WHO WANTS TO FILE TAXES ON THEIR OWN, WITHOUT A PREPARER?
A Step-By-Step Guide to Filing Your Own Taxes (2023)
Are you a youth looking to file your taxes on your own for free? This resource provides steps and pictures to help you start and finish your tax return. English version available now, Spanish version coming soon.
WANT VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUTH WHO ARE FILING ON THEIR OWN, ON CLAIMING THE FOSTER YOUTH TAX CREDIT?
Video Tutorial For Youth on Claiming the Foster Youth Tax Credit (2023)
This short video shows TAY the step-by-step process to claim the Foster Youth Tax Credit when they are filing their own tax return for free using myfreetaxes.org and TaxSlayer. (For more help self-filing, view “A Step-By-Step Guide to Filing Your Own Taxes”).
ARE YOU A VITA VOLUNTEER SEEKING INSTRUCTIONS ON CLAIMING THE FOSTER YOUTH TAX CREDIT?
Video Tutorial For VITA Volunteers on Claiming the Foster Youth Tax Credit (2023)
This short video teaches VITA volunteers the step-by-step process to claim the Foster Youth Tax Credit in TaxSlayer in the state section of the tax return. Once claimed, the state return will update to show the $1,083 credit in their refund.
WANT TO CONDUCT OUTREACH ABOUT FILING TAXES AND THE NEW FOSTER YOUTH TAX CREDIT?
Social Media Toolkit – Tax Campaign for Transition-Age Foster Youth (2023)
This Toolkit is designed to assist you with getting the word out via social media to transition-age youth about tax credits.
Outreach Materials – Posters, Flyers, Graphics (2023)
The Franchise Tax Board provides free Foster Youth Tax Credit posters and flyers. Use this order form to order up to 20 free posters and 100 free flyers. Digital posters and flyers can be viewed and downloaded here. Graphics can be viewed and downloaded here.
Reports, Fact Sheets & Webinars
WEBINAR
$1,083 Reasons to File Your Taxes – California’s New Foster Youth Tax Credit (2023)
This webinar discusses strategies to help transition-age youth access tax credits and free tax filing services, including the new foster youth tax credit.
FACT SHEET
How Tax Filing Benefits Foster Youth (2022)
This fact sheet describes nine ways tax filing benefits young adults currently or formerly in foster care. Available in English and Spanish.
REPORT
This publication shares the results of a pilot project conducted in 2022 with six counties and their local partners to increase foster youth receipt of state and federal tax credits.
REPORT
Money in the Pocket During the Pandemic (2021)
This publication shares the results of a pilot project conducted in 2021 with Santa Clara County Social Services Agency and other local partners to increase foster youth receipt of state and federal tax credits.