Single mom in college on CalWORKs - will I get anything back on taxes with no income?

YES, you should absolutely file taxes! Even with no income from work, you could qualify for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit which can get you a few thousand dollars. Being a student with a dependent child while receiving CalWORKs doesn't disqualify you - it actually might help your case. Make sure to file as 'Head of Household' status too for better credits. The CalWORKs benefits themselves aren't taxable income, but they don't prevent you from getting tax credits either.

ur aunt is wrong tbh. i was in EXACT same spot last year. full time student, on calworks, 1 kid, zero income from job. got back almost $3,000 just from the credits!!! the refundable child tax credit is what gave me most of it. u defintely need to file!!!!!

Just wanted to add that many community colleges have free VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) programs where they'll help you file for free. Might want to check if your school offers this service!

I work as a tax preparer and specialize in helping low-income families. Here's what you need to know: 1. CalWORKs is NOT taxable income - you don't report it 2. You CAN qualify for Child Tax Credit (partially refundable) 3. For EITC, you technically need some earned income, but your status as a student with a dependent makes you eligible for other credits 4. Look into the American Opportunity Tax Credit if you're in your first 4 years of college Definitely file - you're likely leaving money on the table if you don't! Most people in your situation get $1500-3000 back.

I've been trying to reach my CalWORKs worker to ask about this exact question for TWO WEEKS and keep getting sent to voicemail! So frustrating when tax deadline is coming up and I need this info. Does anyone know if the county office gives any tax documents we need to file? I'm in the same boat - single mom, one kid, in school, no other income.

my cousin told me calworks people get audited more if they file taxes so be careful lol

Thank you all so much for the advice! I'm definitely going to file now. I'll check with my college to see if they have that VITA program someone mentioned. Really appreciate everyone's help!

I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to share what I learned from filing last year! Even though you don't have W-2s, you can still file using Form 1040. The key forms you'll need are your 1098-T from school (for education credits) and your child's Social Security info. I ended up getting back about $2,400 between the Child Tax Credit and American Opportunity Tax Credit. Don't let your aunt discourage you - definitely file! The worst case is you get nothing back, but the best case is a nice refund that can really help with school expenses or other needs.

I'm also a single mom on CalWORKs and was in the same exact position last year! I was so scared to file because I thought I'd owe money or something would mess up my benefits, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. I got back around $2,800 total - mostly from the Child Tax Credit and some education credits since I was taking classes too. The process was way easier than I expected, and like others said, CalWORKs benefits don't count as income so you don't report them anywhere on your taxes. I used the free filing software through the IRS website and it walked me through everything step by step. Don't let anyone tell you not to file - you're literally leaving free money on the table if you don't! That refund helped me so much with textbooks and childcare expenses for the next semester.

I'm a CalWORKs caseworker and wanted to jump in to clarify a few things I'm seeing in this thread. First, you absolutely should file taxes even with no earned income - CalWORKs benefits are NOT taxable and won't be reported on your return, but you can still qualify for several credits. The Child Tax Credit alone can get you up to $1,600 per qualifying child, and if you're in college, the American Opportunity Tax Credit can add another $2,500. Just make sure you have your child's SSN and your 1098-T from school. Also, filing taxes will NOT affect your CalWORKs eligibility - tax refunds from credits like these are specifically excluded from income calculations for benefits. Many of our clients get substantial refunds that really help with school and family expenses. Don't miss out on money you're entitled to!