A few days before the deadline to file taxes, the 17 May, authorities wanted to remind low-income workers with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) that they may qualify for tax credits.
This is because the Governor of California Gavin Newsom signed a law that ensures that all California taxpayers, including those with ITINs, qualify for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) and the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC) under certain requirements.
The CalEITC is a tax tool that returns cash assistance to those who work but earn $ 30, 000 or less per year.
Supporters of immigrant workers say ITIN taxpayers have been excluded from CalEITC since it was established this credit in 2015, creating significant differences in income between families who work and earn the same amount, simply because of the number they use to File taxes.
It is estimated that two out of every three workers who are eligible under this new expansion in California are essential workers, including workers in restaurants, grocery stores and the agricultural industry.
By qualifying for the CalEITC, workers can cover fundamental needs such as food, clothing and rent, organizers indicate.
This was very good news for Mr. Pedro Vásquez, who has been working with an ITIN for 23 years.
his wife who saw the information of the tax credit for undocumented workers in California in the news and told him but he did not believe it.
“I told him, how if we are undocumented and although we pay taxes They never return anything to us, “said Vásquez, who has a small mobile car battery charging business.
Still in doubt, at the beginning of March he went to present his taxes and received the pleasant news that you would receive $ 1, 568 back. This only for him and his wife, since they have a daughter but she is of legal age.
“It was a surprise that I did not expect but anyway I did not believe it until I went to deposit a I checked the bank and they told me I had a deposit of $ 1, 568 ”, Vásquez said excitedly.
Upon receiving this money, the Fresno resident said that it made him feel valued in this country.
“Before, refunds would come to other people and we just watched,” he said. “But now with this we already feel more included.”
Luis González, associate supervisor at the accounting firm Génesis Global Recruiting, said that when people file their taxes they automatically qualify for the benefit. The amount varies depending on the marital status of the person, gross income and number of dependents.
“When they come to file their tax return if they include dependents who are children they would instantly qualify for the program”, explained.
People who do not have children and work with an ITIN number are very likely to also qualify for some credit depending on their income.
Free Help
Genesis Global Recruiting partnered with the City of Los Angeles and they are working with Free TaxPrep LA to provide Free tax services for people who qualify.
Help is for households with an income less than $ 57, 000.
With the inclusion of ITIN workers for CalEITC benefits, California becomes the second state to eliminate exemptions. lusions of ITIN and alleviate the economic burdens faced by immigrants who file returns.
What if they already filed taxes
Roxanna Bernal, tax expert with R&G Tax Services in the city of Fresno, said that people who qualify for the benefit and file their taxes at the beginning of the year are very likely not to have seen it at that time.
“Since it was not yet clear when it started, we told them We told our clients to wait a bit and by February we had the Cal EITC information for ITIN taxpayers ”, she indicated.
The expert pointed out that those who filed their taxes in January and did not see This benefit can make an amendment to receive the credit.
“It is recommended that you fill out a declaration form 2020 if they think they qualify for the Cal EITC, ”Bernal said.
To schedule an appointment in Los Angeles with Free TaxPrep LA, you can call
1 (213) 334 – 8247. Assistance is available in English and Spanish at the Tom Bradley Family and Youth Center.