To support thousands of residents, San Francisco's top brass unveiled a free tax preparation initiative and a local tax credit program to provide financial relief to those with incomes below $64,000. Spearheaded by Mayor London N. Breed, Treasurer José Cisneros, and the San Francisco Human Services Agency (SFHSA), the program is designed to guide eligible San Franciscans through the tax filing process and help them tap into credits that could mean a cashback of thousands of dollars.
Flagging the economic hardships many citizens still face in the post-pandemic era, Mayor Breed stressed the importance of such services. "Many San Francisco residents who were impacted by the pandemic are still struggling to make ends meet. In this current economic environment, especially in San Francisco, every extra dollar helps families in the City," Breed said, as reported by SF Gov News. This initiative allows for free tax filing and assists families in applying for the city's Working Families Credit (WFC), among other tax credits.
Commemorating WFC's key milestones—the submission of 100,000 applications and the distribution of over $10 million to low- and middle-income filers since 2005—Treasurer Cisneros highlighted the visionary roots of the program. "We created the Working Families Credit to encourage every eligible family to take advantage of the federal and now State Earned Income Tax Credit," he told SF Gov News. Moreover, Cisneros called for renewed support of the Child Tax Credit and other wealth-building strategies for San Francisco families.
With an average saving of $230 on tax preparation fees, the project includes partnerships with diverse local organizations, such as the United Way Bay Area and the Mission Economic Development Association, to offer services across the city. Tax centers will help residents claim federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits, and the WFC. SFHSA's Executive Director, Trent Rhorer, laid out the stakes, saying, “Tax credits are an effective tool to get additional money into households that desperately need it. Our clients and many community members have a great deal to gain if they file their taxes, even though many may not be required to do so,” according to SF Gov News.
Emphasizing inclusivity, undocumented and mixed-status immigrants with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) are encouraged to apply and access unclaimed financial resources. SFHSA also partners with organizations such as San Francisco CASA to specifically assist foster youth in tax filings. Taxpayers can find free tax help online at FreeTaxHelpSF.org or by calling 2-1-1. Meanwhile, the SFHSA encourages scheduling ahead due to the high demand for tax prep services. Those requiring immediate help are advised to check the availability of same-day services before engaging a tax preparer.
