The CalEITC is California’s Earned Income Tax Credit, a cash-back credit for people who work but don’t earn much. The word “credit” undersells it: this is a refund you get even if you owe no state tax at all. A lot of low-income workers leave it on the table for one reason, they don’t file a state return, assuming there’s no point. That assumption can cost a family thousands. This guide breaks down who qualifies in 2026, how much it’s worth, and the bonus credit for young kids that stacks on top.
The short version
If you earned between $1 and $32,900 in 2025, you may qualify for the CalEITC on your 2026 California tax return. It’s worth up to $302 with no kids and up to $3,756 with three or more.
Have a child under 6? You also get the Young Child Tax Credit, up to $1,189 more, stacked on top. And you can claim the federal EITC at the same time.
To get it, you must file a state tax return (Form FTB 3514), even if you aren’t otherwise required to file.
Do you qualify? A 30-second check
- Did you have earned income (a job or self-employment) in 2025? Even $1 counts; there’s no minimum hours.
- Was your earned income $32,900 or less? That’s the 2026 cap.
- Do you have a valid SSN or ITIN? CalEITC accepts ITIN filers, unlike the federal credit.
- Are you a California resident who files a state return? Filing is how you claim it.
What the CalEITC is
The CalEITC is a refundable state tax credit. Refundable is the key word: if the credit is larger than the tax you owe, California pays you the difference as a refund. So a worker who owes $0 in state tax can still get the full credit as cash. It’s run by the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) and claimed on your return.
How much the CalEITC is worth in 2026
The amount rises with the number of qualifying children and varies with income (it phases in and out):
| Qualifying children | Maximum CalEITC (2026) |
|---|---|
| None | $302 |
| 1 | $2,016 |
| 2 | $3,339 |
| 3 or more | $3,756 |
Your exact credit depends on your income, so the FTB’s CalEITC calculator gives the precise figure. The maximum lands in a middle income range and tapers above it.
Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC): up to $1,189 more. If you qualify for the CalEITC and have a child under 6 at the end of the year, you also get the YCTC, stacked on top of your CalEITC. You can claim it even with zero earned income or a net loss (up to $35,640 in 2025). That’s a YCTC-specific exception: the CalEITC itself needs at least $1 of earned income, but the YCTC waives that for a qualifying child under 6. You don’t apply separately; you claim it on the same Form FTB 3514.
Claim the federal EITC too, at the same time
The CalEITC is separate from the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, and you can claim both. If your income is under the CalEITC limit, file your IRS return for the federal EITC (worth far more, up to several thousand dollars) and your California return for the CalEITC. They don’t cancel each other out; they add up. For most families the federal credit is the larger of the two, so don’t skip it.
How to claim it
- File a California state tax return, even if your income is low enough that you normally wouldn’t. No return, no credit.
- Complete Form FTB 3514 (the CalEITC form). Most tax software and free filing services add it automatically when you qualify.
- File for free if you can. California’s CalFile and IRS Free File, or free VITA tax-prep sites, handle both the state and federal credits at no cost. File your state return free with CalFile, or get free in-person help at a VITA site (find one at ftb.ca.gov/vita).
- Claim prior years if you missed them. You can generally still file back returns for recent years and collect credits you were owed.
Getting the CalEITC won’t count against you as income for CalFresh or Medi-Cal. If you qualify for the CalEITC, you may also qualify for those; see our California benefits stacking guide.
Quick answers
Can I get the CalEITC with an ITIN?
Yes. Unlike the federal EITC, the CalEITC is available to eligible ITIN filers, which makes it reachable for many immigrant workers.
Do I qualify if I owe no tax?
Yes, and that’s the point. The CalEITC is refundable, so you receive it as cash even if your tax bill is $0.
What if I’m self-employed?
Self-employment income counts as earned income for the CalEITC. Keep records of what you earned.
Does claiming it affect CalFresh or Medi-Cal?
No. Tax credits and refunds aren’t counted as income for those programs, so claiming the CalEITC won’t reduce them.
Bottom line
The CalEITC puts real money back in the pockets of working Californians: up to $302 with no kids, and $3,756 with three. The Young Child Tax Credit adds up to $1,189 more for a child under 6. It’s refundable, so you get it even owing no tax.
The only way to lose it is to not file. If you earned under $32,900 in 2025, file a California return (and your federal one) this season, claim Form FTB 3514, and use free filing so it costs you nothing to collect what you’re owed.