“Tacos and Taxes” events across 4 regions featured free food and tax preparation by IRS-certified volunteers 

CALIFORNIA – On Saturday, Golden State Opportunity celebrated 10 years of the CalEITC by providing free tax preparation to community members in Alameda, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Mateo counties. Community organizations in each region were on-hand to provide free tax preparation to over 500 community members. Download photos from the events here.

Assemblymember Blanca Rubio joined GSO and its community partners Barrio Action, Eastmont Community Center, and Haven Neighborhood Services in the City of Industry where Angelenos who earn less than $67,000 a year qualified for free tax preparation. Also in Los Angeles County, State Senator Maria Elena Durazo joined Central City Neighborhood Partners to provide Volunteer Income Tax Assistance to the community, including those who may have been impacted by the LA County Wildfires. 

A resident of El Monte who attended the Tacos & Taxes in the City of Industry, Celia Carvajal, shared that, “[This event]… it also gives us a good opportunity for first timers to initiate their way of doing taxes. So, I, even though I know how to do my taxes and I could show my daughter, I want her to take advantage of all these special services. You don’t have to be paying other people a minimum of what, $50 $100 for, so this is like the best services that you could get for first timers to file taxes.”

“Free tax preparation is a vital service for our community members and California has led the way in ensuring we reach as many people who are eligible for services and refunds as possible,“ said Amy Everitt, President of GSO. “The CalEITC is one of the most critical tools we have to help lift families out of deep poverty and provide them with critical resources to address the state’s affordability challenge. As we celebrate a decade of the CalEITC across the state, we are reminded that these support programs are more important than ever to ensuring the financial stability Californians need.” 

In Northern California, State Senator Dr. Aisha Wahab partnered with GSO to host a Tacos & Taxes event at the Fremont Family Resource Center. Assemblymember Diane Papan partnered with Tax Aid in Redwood City. State Senator Steve Padilla also partnered with the Border View Family YMCA and Dreams for Change to provide free tax preparation in San Diego. 

Participants at the events enjoyed free tacos while their taxes were prepared by IRS-certified volunteers for no cost thanks to state funding, which powers these local community events. Over the last decade, California has worked to ensure that the state reaches as many filers who qualify for cash-back tax credits when they file their taxes. GSO’s focus on community-powered outreach has helped California work to reach its goal to lift more people out of poverty and to connect historically excluded communities with cash back tax credits. At these events, GSO and its partners connect filers with information about additional services available to support low-income Californians. 

California residents who earn less than $67,000 a year qualify for free tax preparation at events across the state hosted by GSO and its partners. To find the nearest event near you, follow @caleitc4me on social media. For more information about tax credits for low-income workers, along with free tax preparation and a free calculator to estimate your tax refund after tax credits, visit CalEITC.org.

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CalEITC4Me is a groundbreaking, public-private partnership with community-based organizations and the state of California focused on the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), a cash-back tax credit that puts money back into the pockets of low-income Californians.