Left on the Table

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the federal government's largest resources for working low-income Americans. It is widely regarded as the nation's most effective and efficient anti-poverty program and has been expanded by a series of Democratic and Republican presidents. But hundreds of thousands of Californians fail to claim EITC refunds, which range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each.

Families aren't the only ones who suffer when refunds go unclaimed. Local economies don't benefit, since these dollars are never spent at local businesses. So fewer jobs are created, fewer wages are paid, and eventually less tax revenue comes back to state and local governments. These refunds are a foregone economic stimulus for California.

Researchers and those that work on the front lines helping Californians claim these dollars came together in Sacramento for the unveiling of new research that, for the first time, estimates the great cost of these unclaimed refunds to California. More than 100 policymakers, staff, and community members learned about the economic impact of EITC dollars, county by county-and for the state overall: the report estimates a total foregone impact of more than $1 billion. Panelists discussed innovative efforts to help more Californians claim their hard-earned refunds, take advantage of other under-used resources, and how you can get involved. John Wancheck shared the national perspective on what's happening in other states and in Washington, D.C. to ensure more Americans claim their refunds.