Economic Security
Tax Filing & Tax Credits: Informational Resources
Assisting young adults currently or formerly in foster care with filing their taxes can put hundreds to thousands of dollars in their pockets to cover basic necessities and more. With the new California Foster Youth Tax Credit, youth may qualify for up to $1,117 when they file in 2024! JBAY has created several resources to assist young adults with tax filing, and provide guidance to those supporting young people to file.
The 2024 tax filing season starts January 23, 2024 and continues through October 15, 2024. In the fall, youth should be making a plan and preparing to file. Once youth are ready to file, they can self-file for free (see JBAY’s self-filing guide below), or for one-on-one support they can visit a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site for free assistance.
Guides & Tools
WANT TO CONDUCT OUTREACH ABOUT FILING TAXES AND THE NEW FOSTER YOUTH TAX CREDIT?
California Foster Youth Tax Credit 2024 Outreach Flyer
This outreach flyer informs young adults age 18-25 about the availability of this new tax credit for current and former foster youth. It contains a link and QR code that directs youth to additional information.
Franchise Tax Board 2024 Outreach Materials – Posters, Flyers, Graphics
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 downloaded here.
Foster Youth Tax Credit – 2024 Social Media Toolkit
This Toolkit is designed to assist you with getting the word out via social media to transition-age youth about the California Foster Youth Tax Credit.
WANT TO KNOW HOW TO HELP YOUNG ADULTS PREPARE FOR A FILING THEIR TAXES?
Tax Prep Checklist for Transition-Age Youth
This checklist assists youth with gathering the necessary personal information and documents in preparation for filing their taxes to ensure youth file with confidence and maximize their cash back refund. The checklist includes free tax filing options.
WANT TO CONDUCT A “TAXES 101” / TAX PREP WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG ADULTS?
This PowerPoint slide deck provides a “taxes 101” curriculum for young adults currently or formerly in foster care, focused on teaching them about filing taxes and how to prepare. It is intended for programs (such as the county Independent Living Skills program) to offer during the fall, in preparation for the following tax season.
KNOW A YOUNG ADULT WHO WANTS TO FILE TAXES ON THEIR OWN FOR FREE, WITHOUT A PREPARER?
A Step-By-Step Guide to Filing Your Own Taxes in 2024
This resource provides steps and pictures to help young adults start and finish their state and federal tax returns, and makes sure they claim the California Foster Youth Tax Credit.
KNOW A YOUNG ADULT WHO WANTS FREE ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE WITH FILING THEIR TAXES?
2024 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Roster
This resource lists all VITA sites that specialize in assisting current and former foster youth, and provides a link to the VITA locator to identify general VITA sites across the state, for those in regions without foster youth VITA sites.
KNOW A YOUNG ADULT WHO IS VISITING A PAID TAX PREPARER?
California Foster Youth Tax Credit: Information for Professional Tax Preparers
Paid tax preparers often miss the Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC). This one-page resource educates and informs professional tax preparers about the FYTC to ensure that eligible young adults they assist do not miss out on the money they are owed.
Reports, Fact Sheets & Webinars
WEBINAR
Make a Plan to File: Preparing for the Foster Youth Tax Credit (2023)
This webinar kicked off the 2024 tax season, enlisting and training critical stakeholders to help current and former foster youth in their communities access the Foster Youth Tax Credit in 2024.
REPORT
California’s Historic Tax Credit for Foster Youth: Assessing Progress in its Inaugural Year (2023)
This report summarizes the progress achieved in the first year of implementation of the California Foster Youth Tax Credit, which provided up to $1,083 to youth ages 18-25 who filed their 2022 state taxes, and were in foster care on or after their 13th birthday.
WEBINAR
California’s Historic Tax Credit for Foster Youth: Assessing Progress in its Inaugural Year (2023)
This webinar marked the release of JBAY’s publication summarizing the progress achieved in the first year of implementation of the California Foster Youth Tax Credit. It discusses the findings and recommendations included in the report.
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.