Economic Impact

Economic Support & Impact

211 San Diego can help you access economic supports from a wide range of tax credits, government and related benefits, and community programs that help you with everyday essentials.

211 San Diego helps residents claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, one of the most powerful anti-poverty tools in the country, putting cash back into the pockets of low- and moderate-income workers. 211 closes that gap by offering free, multilingual tax help, checking eligibility for federal and state EITC programs, and assisting with filing or amending returns so families receive the money they’ve already earned, and putting money into their pockets.

Tax Credits

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable cash-back tax credit for low-income working families and individuals. It is one of the most effective tools in America to lift families out of poverty.

California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC)

California and 30 other states, along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, has adopted a state EITC, known as CalEITC, to supplement the federal EITC. CalEITC offers support for low-income, working Californians. You may qualify for up to $3,756 cash back or a reduction of the tax you owe.

Young Child Tax Credit and Foster Youth Tax Credit

Plus, CalEITC may help you access additional credits, like the Young Child and Foster Youth tax credits.

Who is eligible for these tax credits?

Eligibility for these tax credits is based on your earned income, and you must file a tax return to qualify. Individuals/families in San Diego County who make:

Between $1-$70,000 may qualify for free tax filing assistance + federal tax credits
Between $1-$32,900 may qualify for additional state tax credits

Free Tax Assistance

The easiest way to make sure you get the tax credits you’ve earned is to file your taxes for free with one of our trusted Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) partners in the San Diego County Earned Income Tax Coalition.

Who’s Eligible?

If you make $70,000 or less in San Diego County, you may qualify for free tax filing assistance!

How to File

Call 2-1-1 to see if you qualify and make an appointment.
In-person and virtual online tax assistance is available.
Tax preparation services are available in multiple languages

Looking for information about different government and other benefit programs?

Our Impact

211 San Diego proudly partners with the San Diego County Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Coalition—a powerful network led by United Way of San Diego County and supported by over 47 community organizations. The Coalition provides free tax filing assistance through Volunteer Income Tax Assistors (VITA) which helps hard-working individuals and families claim state and federal Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) that can help lessen financial strain. During tax season, 211 San Diego schedules free tax preparation appointments for people calling 2-1-1.

Last year, 211 San Diego scheduled VITA appointments for 12,034 clients last year.

+$ 0 million

In 2025, the San Diego County EITC Coalition’s VITA volunteers prepared 47,581 tax returns, putting more than $34 million back into local taxpayers pockets.

What Our Clients Are Saying

"This is my second year using you guys for my taxes and you guys found me a spot to do my taxes again. You guys are awesome!"

Client

calling in February 2026

How We Collaborate: Partner Spotlight

Our staff have expressed that their parents have been able to utilize the VITA tax preparation, and it is a great relief since they are on a fixed income.

YMCA of San Diego County

Thanks to the Child Tax Credit and free tax preparation services, one of our clients who was a single mother relying solely on public transportation was able to use her refund toward a down payment on her first car.

International Rescue Committee

During an appointment with a single mother, a volunteer’s careful attention identified key opportunities that had been previously overlooked. As a result, her expected refund increased dramatically from $2,000 to over $11,000, providing her and her family with a life-changing boost in financial stability.

United Way of San Diego County

FAQs

What is the difference between the Federal EITC and CalEITC?

CalEITC is a state program for California residents, while EITC is a federal program for the entire U.S. Unlike the CalEITC, only people with Social Security numbers qualify for the Federal EITC.

What is the Young Child Tax Credit?

If you had a child under the age of 6 at the end of the tax year, you may qualify for up to $1,189 cash back!

What is the Foster Youth Tax Credit?

If you were in California foster care when age 13 or older, you may qualify for up to $1,189 cash back!

How do I know if I qualify for these tax credits and/or free tax preparation assistance?

Call 2-1-1 to get screened for the federal EITC, CalEITC, and/or free tax preparation assistance. Or use this Earned Income Tax Credit Calculator on the Official website of the State of California to see your eligibility for the Federal EITC, CalEITC, Young Child Tax Credit, and Foster Youth Tax Credit.

How much can I get back from these credits?

he amount you may be eligible for depends on how much money you earn from work. Depending on your income, the maximum thresholds for these credits for tax year 2025 are:

CalEITC: up to $3,756
Federal EITC: Up to $8,046
California YCTC: up to $1,189
California Foster Youth Tax Credit: Up to $1,189

How do I access these tax credits?

The easiest way to make sure you get all the tax credits you qualify for is to visit a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site hosted by one of our trusted partners in the San Diego County EITC Coalition. VITA volunteers are professionally trained to make sure they note all potential qualifications when they submit your taxes.

Can I still claim these credits for previous years?

Yes! You may claim these credits to receive a refund for up to three or four prior years, depending on the credit, prior by filing or amending your state income tax return.