· web viewyou can still claim #caleitc. if your refund comes as a check, you can cash it at...

CalEITC Social Media Toolkit2021 Outreach to Transition Age Youth

Background Thank you for sharing information with Transition Age Youth in California about how to file taxes and claim their cash back refunds for free. The tax filing deadline is currently April 15, 2021. This social media toolkit is tailored for transition age youth to help get as many youth as possible to claim their full refund this year. This can significantly increase the total income of TAY and support them with important housing, school and work expenses. Filing taxes will also help ensure TAY receive their federal and state stimulus checks!

Please join us in promoting important tax credits for TAYThe John Burton Advocates for Youth CalEITC Social Media Toolkit contains information and resources about the California Earned Income Tax Credit, Young Child Tax Credit, and the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit designed to support you in getting the word out to transition age youth.

Newly EligibleCalEITC is a supplement to the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. Recent changes mean that more transition age youth will qualify for the CalEITC than ever before. The upper income limit has increased to $30,000, and young adults ages 18-24, including those who are filing with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) as well as self-employed individuals are now eligible. The Young Child Tax credit is also available to transition age youth with children under 6 years old and could provide young adults with another $1000 in refunds this year!

TAY shouldn’t PAY to file their taxes!Recently the budget for CalEITC was expanded to over one billion dollars. However, many people still don’t know about the EITC and don’t file their taxes. In a 2016 survey conducted by the California Budget Policy Center, only 17% of people who were eligible for the CalEITC were aware of it. Additionally, many individuals use a paid tax preparer, which can cost up to $300, even though they could have received those services for free.

Please help us change thisOur goals are to spread awareness about CalEITC and the Young Child Tax Credit and connect transition age youth to FREE tax prep services. This toolkit offers messages that you can post on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or email to others. All messages will have a text format, which is better for Twitter. Some will also have a picture format, which works well on Instagram. Please try to post a message once a day. Also, please follow us on Twitter and Instagram @JBAforYouth, like us on Facebook, and tag us in your posts to help get the word out!

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https://www.facebook.com/JBAforYouth/

https://twitter.com/jbaforyouth?lang=en


WEEK 1 Instagram Messages (post one per week)

Twitter/Facebook Messages (post one per day)

We need YOU to support the 3.8 million Transition Age Youth in California. Help youth get their CalEITC refund and connect them to free tax prep services TODAY! Go to www.caleitc4me.org for more info #CalEITCMatters @JBAforYouth

If you don’t file taxes, you can’t get your cash refund. Go to www.caleitc4me.org for more info!#CalEITCMatters @JBAforYouth

Homeless youth who work can claim the CalEITC! Please remind youth who are homeless that when they file taxes, they can use a clinic, shelter, or drop-in center as an address, with permission. Check out JBAY’s Guide www.jbaforyouth.org/cal-eitc-guide/. @JBAforYouth

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http://www.jbaforyouth.org/cal-eitc-guide/


https://twitter.com/hashtag/CalEITCMatters?src=hashtag_click

http://www.caleitc4me.org/





Paying for Diapers got you down? If you’re eligible for the CalEITC, earning $30,000 or less, and have a child under age 6, you could qualify for a $1000 refund through the California Young Child Tax Credit. Go to www.caleitc4me.org @JBAforYouth

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Week 2

Instagram Message (post one per week)


Keep our next generation healthy! Research shows that the EITC has positive effects on infant birth weight, maternal smoking, self-reported health, obesity, insurance coverage, and medical care. #CalEITC @JBAforYouth

Wondering if you qualify for the CalEITC cash refund? You may qualify if you:• are 18 or older• made between $1 and $30,000 this year• have a Social Security Number or ITIN• lived in California for more than half of the tax yearSee JBAY’s Guide www.jbaforyouth.org/cal-eitc-guide/@JBAforYouth

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https://twitter.com/hashtag/CalEITC?src=hashtag_click


How much is my CalEITC cash refund?Check out this chart to see how much $ you may qualify for when filling your 2020 tax return! Find out more with JBAY’s Guide www.jbaforyouth.org/cal-eitc-guide/ @JBAforYouth

Did you earn at least $1 this year? File your taxes to see if you can claim your EITC refund. Find out more by going to www.caleitc4me.org.#CalEITC @JBAforYouth

What you need for your CalEITC refund • W-2• 1099• Pay stubs • Other income, (e.g. last year’s tax refund, unemployment, SSI)You may need• Mortgage income, student loan interest, moving expenses, health insurance proof• 1098-T • Financial aid letters @JBAforYouth

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Week 3



What to bring to your tax appt Government ID, (e.g. driver’s license) Social Security Number or ITIN, your spouse’s SSN if married,

and the SSN of any dependents you will declare Bank account and routing numbers

#CalEITCMatters @JBAforYouth

Keep your docs! Keep anything that relates to your income or payments throughout the year in one place. These include pay stubs, W-2, college financial aid award letters, and tax forms or returns from the previous year. Then get your CalEITC refund!#CalEITC @JBAforYouth

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Know your SSN: You must file taxes using a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. If you were in foster care and didn’t receive your SSN, call your social worker, dependency attorney, or the California Foster Care Ombudsperson’s office. @JBAforYouth

Filing Taxes with an ITIN: If you are not eligible for a Social Security Number, you may use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to file your taxes. Call the IRS to get one. Learn more at JBAY’s Guide www.jbaforyouth.org/cal-eitc-guide/. @JBAforYouth

Make your W-2 work for you: A W-2 form outlines your income and taxes withheld from your paycheck. Contact your job if you don’t have one. If you still can’t get it, call the IRS and file taxes with Form 4852, using info from your last paystub. Then get your refund! @JBAforYouth

Spotlight on the 1099: A 1099 form reports income of $600 or more that was not on your W-2, such as from self-employment, government payments, contract work, or interest. You can still file taxes without a 1099. See JBAY’s Guide: www.jbaforyouth.org/cal-eitc-guide/. @JBAforYouth

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Week 4



Want to file taxes online for FREE? If your yearly income is under $57,000, file your federal and state taxes for free at https://freefile.intuit.com! Call 211, or visit myfreetaxes.org to find other free tax assistance services @JBAforYouth

File taxes for FREE! If you make $57,000 or less, you can file taxes for free in person at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program site. To find an office near you, call 1-800-906-9887 or go to https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/ @JBAforYouth

Want to know where you can file your taxes for free and get your EITC refund? Go to www.caleitc4me.org. Find out where to file with

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https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/


https://www.myfreetaxes.org/

https://freefile.intuit.com/


the language you need, and use the calculator to estimate your refund! #CalEITCMatters @JBAforYouth

You need to know your taxable income to claim the EITC! For federal taxes, this includes salary, tips, unemployment and disability payments. However, child support isn’t counted. For more info, see JBAY’s Guide at www.jbaforyouth.org/cal-eitc-guide/ @JBAforYouth

You need to know your taxable income to claim the EITC! Did you know that for state taxes, payments from Social Security, unemployment, CalWORKs, CalFresh, foster care, welfare, Social Security, disability, and state refunds AREN’T TAXABLE? @JBAforYouth

Don’t forget to file! Although taxes may seem intimidating, if you don’t file and your income is over the limit, the IRS will penalize you, starting at 5% and going up to 100% of what you owe. Not sure where to start? Check out JBAY’s Guide www.jbaforyouth.org/cal-eitc-guide/

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Week 5



Q: Can I get the CalEITC if I get paid under the table?A: You should still file taxes using the “Schedule C” worksheet. However, income used to claim the CalEITC must come from eligible sources, such as W-2 wages and self-employment income. #CalEITC @JBAforYouth

Not sure if filing is worth the hassle? Here’s a list of tax credits you might qualify for:

Federal EITC CalEITC Young Child Tax Credit Renters Credit Child/Dependent Care Credit Joint Custody Head of Household Credit

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Dependent Parent Credit@JBAforYouth

Put cash in your pocket! Between the state and federal EITCs, an individual can receive more than $8,000, depending on income, number of dependents, and other factors. Find out more in JBAY’s Guide: www.jbaforyouth.org/cal-eitc-guide/

What would you do with $1000? Reach into your pocket and find out! The new Young Child Tax Credit gives $1000 back to some working parents with a child under age 6. #CalEITCMatters @JBAforYouth

Claim past refunds! If you didn’t claim the CalEITC or other credits on your past tax returns, it’s not too late. You can change your California tax returns from prior years here: www.ftb.ca.gov/file/after-you-file/amend-a-return/index.html.#CalEITCMatters @JBAforYouth

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https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/after-you-file/amend-a-return/index.html

https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/after-you-file/amend-a-return/index.html






POST ANYTIME: SPECIAL POPULATIONS & TAILORED MESSAGING

Instagram Message

Twitter/Facebook Messages

Filing Taxes Makes the FAFSA Easier! Filing taxes makes it simpler to fill out financial aid applications. Students can have their income automatically uploaded from the IRS into their FAFSA or CA Dream Act application. Learn more in JBAY’s Guide: www.jbaforyouth.org/cal-eitc-guide/

Financial aid and the EITC: Form 1098-T tells you what you paid for college, what you still owe, and scholarships granted. Subtract your school fees from your grant award to get your taxable income. State scholarships and work-study income are also taxable. @JBAforYouth

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Pell Grants and the EITC: Pell Grants that are used for tuition, school fees, books, or school expenses are not taxable. However, money from Pell grants used to pay for room and board or transportation are. @JBAforYouth

Know what parts of your financial aid are taxable. Usually amounts listed under “books and supplies” and “tuition and fees” are not taxable income, while amounts listed under “living expenses” are taxable. Check out JBAY’s Guide www.jbaforyouth.org/cal-eitc-guide/

Q: Will CalEITC affect my Financial Aid?A: If you receive the CalEITC, that money is taxable, but it does not impact your eligibility for financial aid. Check out JBAY’s Guide for Transition Age Youth www.jbaforyouth.org/cal-eitc-guide/

If your income is less than $85,000, you can deduct up to $2,500 of student loan interest per year from your taxable income on your taxes, as long as you use it for education expenses, and you’re enrolled in school. Another reason to file! #CalEITC @JBAforYouth No bank account? No problem! You can still claim #CalEITC. If your refund comes as a check, you can cash it at #Walmart or order a prepaid debit card. Have your refund deposited right onto the card by using its routing and account numbers on your tax forms. @JBAforYouth

You can file taxes if you’re in juvenile hall! Have someone bring your tax forms (Form 1040 for federal, Form 540 for state), or file for an extension by July 15 (Form 4868 for federal, Form 3519 for state). This may extend your tax-filing deadline to October 15. @JBAforYouth

You can claim the CalEITC if you’re in juvenile hall! A conviction will NOT affect your ability to claim the CalEITC. However, wages earned while incarcerated or on work release can’t be considered earned income for the EITC. See JBAY’s Guide www.jbaforyouth.org/cal-eitc-guide/.

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CalEITC and Dependent Status. You can’t get the EITC if someone claims you as their dependent; this can happen, even if you’re over 18. If you think someone is claiming you fraudulently, call the IRS Identity Theft hotline at 1-800-908-4490. www.jbaforyouth.org/cal-eitc-guide/

What’s your tax filing status? Young adults in foster care can choose from these options:-Single head of household-Married filing jointly-Married filing separately-Qualifying widow(er) with dependent children-SingleNot sure? See JBAY’s Guide! www.jbaforyouth.org/cal-eitc-guide/

Filing Taxes and Shared CustodyIf separated, only one parent can claim tax benefits for a child. This must be the custodial parent. If a child’s time is split equally, the parent with the highest gross income can claim the child. #CalEITCMatters @JBAforYouth

Young adults in foster care do NOT have to count their foster care payments as income when filing their taxes! This includes SILP payments and THP-NMD housing provider stipends. See JBAY’s Guide www.jbaforyouth.org/cal-eitc-guide/

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· web viewyou can still claim #caleitc. if your refund comes as a check, you can cash it at...

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