FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACTS:
August 20, 2021
Quin La Capra, 211 San Diego

Suzy Garcia, PR for United Way of San Diego County

Cash-back tax credits still available to low- to moderate-income families

San Diego – Today, 211 San Diego, United Way of San Diego County, and the San Diego County Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Coalition announced they returned a total of $28,034,865 back to San Diego County individuals and families through federal and state tax refunds.

“Federal and state tax credits can provide much needed financial relief to families still struggling due to COVID-19 or just beginning to recover,” said William York, President & CEO of 211 San Diego. “Thankfully, new and existing tax credits and cash back payments are available to more San Diegans than ever before, but many may not know if they are eligible or how to claim them. We’re proud to work with the EITC Coalition to help spread the word and provide some certainty to hardworking families.”

“Helping San Diegans claim federal and state tax credits they deserve is an important step toward addressing the economic inequality exacerbated by COVID-19,” said Nancy L. Sasaki, President and CEO of United Way of San Diego County. “Financial security is crucial to ending the deep disparities that exist in our communities and aligns with our commitment to address family stability throughout San Diego County. We are proud to have been leading the San Diego EITC Coalition for the past 18+ years to achieve its mission to provide critical tax assistance services that help put local families on the path to stability.”

This tax season, the EITC Coalition completed 29,876 tax returns, which allowed 3,896 filers to claim a total of $6,945,963 from the federal EITC, 5,062 filers to claim a total of $998,857 from the CalEITC, and 3,236 filers to claim a total of $6,416,316 from the Young Child Tax Credit.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps low- to moderate-income workers and families reduce the taxes they owe or increase their refund so they can put more money toward rent, school tuition, utilities, groceries, and other important expenses. Combined with the state CalEITC and the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC), taxpayers can receive hundreds or even thousands of extra dollars back on their taxes.

“The hard work of local organizations like 211 San Diego and United Way San Diego bridged the gap for struggling San Diegans who were unaware of the benefits to which they were entitled,” said Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52). “These tax credits are proven to make a difference for families and individuals, especially in the midst of a devastating pandemic. We celebrate the Coalition’s accomplishment and honor its dedicated service to those in need.”

This year, Governor Newsom and the California State Legislature expanded the CalEITC and YCTC to all California tax filers, including undocumented Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) filers who meet the other eligibility criteria. The state also announced the new Golden State Stimulus, one-time cash payments available to 2019 CalEITC recipients and ITIN filers this year who meet other eligibility criteria. Taxpayers can claim the EITC up to three years back if they are eligible, but did not originally claim the credit; the Golden State Stimulus is available to qualifying taxpayers who file before October 15, 2021.

“The California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) is an act of social and economic justice all in one. I was proud to get this legislation passed when I was Speaker of the Assembly in 2015. Since its inception, nearly 1 million working Californians – including members of our military – have received the CalEITC tax credit, totaling $194 million dollars. The financial crisis caused by the pandemic makes it even more important for people to get this additional cash into their wallets and back into our economy,” said Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego). “That is why I advocated for an additional $8.1 billion in tax cuts in this year’s state budget in the form of CalEITC & Golden State Stimulus funding, meaning you are eligible for a second stimulus check if you made $75,000 or less in the 2020 tax year. All you have to do is file your tax return. I am grateful for partners like United Way of San Diego and 211 San Diego, who are vital to the success of the CalEITC program.”

“We must continuously seek economic justice and empowerment for working families, and the Earned Income Tax Credit is another way to support the fight against economic injustice,” said Nathan Fletcher, Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “I am thankful for 211 San Diego, the United Way of San Diego County, and the Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition for working tirelessly to secure refunds for individuals and families who will put them to good use.”

The EITC Coalition is a body of organizations and providers that are dedicated to providing a clear pathway to tax assistance for families in our community. The Coalition is anchored by a partnership among 211 San Diego, United Way of San Diego County, the IRS, and the County of San Diego.

Individuals and families can call 2-1-1 to see if they qualify for the federal EITC, the CalEITC, the YCTC, and the Golden State Stimulus. If you are eligible for free tax preparation, 211’s Community Connectors can schedule an appointment for you. For more information about available tax credits, visit 211sandiego.org/taxes or call 2-1-1.

About 211 San Diego:
211 San Diego serves as a lifeline connecting San Diegans to more than 6,000 community, health, and disaster support services, 24-hours a day in more than 200 languages, through a simple three-digit number, searchable online database, and online chat. 211’s Community Information Exchange (CIE) technology improves the lives and health outcomes of San Diegans through improved care coordination that unites information across our community providers, making access to services seamless. For more information about 211 San Diego, visit www.211sandiego.org or follow us on Facebook by searching 211 San Diego or on Twitter @211SD.

About United Way of San Diego County:
For 100 years, United Way of San Diego County has aligned with partners to address inequities in the region and help underserved communities. United Way’s specialty lies in identifying sustainable, long-term goals and achieving them through leveraging data and partners’ expertise to better understand root causes and putting impactful solutions into action.

United Way’s work, in partnership with others, uses shared goals, innovation and proven practices to transform the lives of children, young adults and families in the San Diego region. United Way focuses on educational milestones, such as kindergarten readiness, third-grade literacy, high school preparation, and college and career pathways. Learn more and get involved by visiting uwsd.org, Facebook, Twitter, or by calling (858) 492-2000.