What is it?
The California Earned Income Tax Credit can be claimed for up to $3,644 for qualifying taxpayers earning $31,950 or less in 2024.
Who qualifies for the credit?
To be eligible for the credit, you must meet ALL of the following requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years old. If you are under 18 but have a qualifying child, then you will still qualify.
- You must have earned income of at least $1, but not greater than $31,950.
- You must have lived in California for more than half of the year
- You cannot be eligible to be claimed as a qualifying child by another taxpayer.
- You cannot be eligible to be claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer unless you have a qualifying child.
- Must have valid Social Security Numbers or ITINs
Note: Married/RDP filing separately have additional requirements. To see the full list of requirements, click here.
How much is the credit?
The amount of the credit depends on your family size and income. If you are are an eligible individual with no qualifying children, the maximum amount the credit can be claimed for is $294. If you are a family with 3 or more qualifying children, your max credit would be $3,644. Use the CalEITC Calculator to determine your credit amount.
Where do I enter my CalEITC information to claim the credit?
To claim the credit, follow these steps:
- State
- California - click 3 dots, to Edit
- Credits
- CA Earned Income Credit & Foster Youth Tax Credit (Form 3514)
Note: A California state tax return must be filed in order to claim this credit