California's Governor Gavin Newsom has officially named January 31st to February 7th as CalEITC Awareness Week, a move aimed to shed light on a tax credit that’s been padding the wallets of working families for ten years. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), known statewide as CalEITC, is recognized for its role in reducing poverty. Newsom's proclamation celebrates the impact of CalEITC —over the past decade, $7.3 billion has found its way back to Californians who needed it most.

According to the Governor's Office, the intent is both to acknowledge the past successes of the program and invite further participation; it notes the EITC's benefits extend well past immediate financial relief, evidencing improvements in child and maternal health, as well as educational outcomes for children of recipient families. In addition to the EITC, the proclamation references two other credits: the Young Child Tax Credit and the Foster Youth Tax Credit, which aim to support some of the state's most vulnerable populations, spreading awareness is critical given that many eligible Californians remain unaware of these resources and consequently, they remain unclaimed, unused.

Reiterating the significance of CalEITC, Newsom said, "Our state is committed to reaching all the hardworking families eligible for these important supports to help set our kids – California’s future – up for success," as stated by the Governor's Office. He encourages all qualifying individuals to visit the Franchise Tax Board's website to see if they are eligible.