FA R M
L A B O R
I N F O R M AT I O N
B U L L E T I N
Voice of the Fields California
January 2019
FREE
Volume 29, Number 1
E M P LO Y M E N T A N D T R A I N I N G
Find job opportunities, improve your skills or get training in 2019
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HE CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT Development Department (EDD) is part of a statewide collaborative network that includes employers, community organizations, educators, state and local government agencies, as well as training providers. This network has employment and training services and programs available to qualifying applicants including: dismissed workers, youth, workers seeking better opportunities, veterans and individuals with disabilities. Services and information through the EDD have no cost to workers.
Where to start?
Visit the nearest California Employment Center of America (AJCC) for information on job search and how to develop your resume, job fairs and references, training and much more. To find the nearest AJCC work center, visit edd.ca.gov/Office Locator and ask to speak with an EDD representative. n You can also find resources for training and various jobs to start the journey to your new career in online EDD sites, such as The Job Search Resource List (Toolbox for Job Seekers) and CalJOBSSM. n The Job Search Resource List provides resources to assist applicants in job search, career exploration, and training needs. Visit edd. ca.gov/Jobs and Training / Toolbox for Job Seekers and select “En Español”. n CalJOBSSM offers a wide variety of jobs throughout the state of California. Visit caljobs.ca.gov If you are interested in EDD-sponsored job search workshops, call or visit your nearest AJCC, or visit www.edd.ca.gov/jobs_and_ training/job_fairs_and_workshops.htm
NEW THIS ISSUE! Expanded Listings:
Agricultural Jobs available to U.S. workers under H-2A contract
See page 5
California Earned Income Tax Credit
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Who Qualifies?
HE CASH-BACK California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) is designed to put money in the pockets of low-income working people. You can use the money for anything; clothing, food, school supplies, electric bills, etc. For tax year 2018, families earning wages or self-employment income up to $24,950 may qualify for CalEITC.
Qualification Description Eligible sources of earned income from: Earned Income
Maximum
How do I claim the credit?
You claim the credit by preparing and filing a California tax return. You can do it yourself or get free help.
You may file as:
What if I already filed my state return and didn’t claim the credit?
Qualifying
If you think you may qualify for CalEITC, you may amend your return. You can do it yourself or get free help.
RELATIONSHIP
Get free help to prepare (or amend) and file your tax return.
RESIDENCE
Beginning in late January and running through Tax Day, April 15, 2019, find free tax help at a location near you CalEITC4Me.org.
AGE
How does it work?
Once you file your tax return: n If you do not owe taxes, CalEITC gives you a refund. n If you owe taxes, CalEITC reduces the amount of taxes you owe and if there’s still a credit left, gives you a refund.
THE PARENT.
How much is the credit?
Select your number of dependents below to see how much you may qualify for: Number of Qualifying Children
CA Maximum Income
CalEITC (up to)
IRS EITC (up to) Residency
None 1
Age
2
Continued on pqge 3
2
Federal Earned Income Tax Credit
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HE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, EITC or EIC, is a benefit for working people with low to moderate income. To qualify, you must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if you do not owe any tax or are not required to file. EITC reduces the amount of tax you owe and may give you a refund. How do I claim the credit?
$3,461 with one qualifying child n $519 with no qualifying children n
EITC Resources
To find out more information on the Federal EITC please visit www.irs.gov. Sources: www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit
F E B R UA RY DATES TO REMEMBER
You claim the credit by preparing and n filing a California tax return. You can do it yourself or get free help.
Radio Bilingüe
When Can I Expect My Refund?
If you claim the earned income tax credit (EITC) or the additional child tax credit (ACTC) on your tax return, by law the IRS, can’t issue your refund before mid-February.
February 27
Who Qualifies?
To qualify for EITC you must have earned income from working for someone or from running or owning a business or farm and meet basic rules. And, you must either meet additional rules for workers without a qualifying child or have a child that meets all the qualifying child rules for you.
Earned Income Limits
The tax year 2018 earned income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must each be less than: Number of Qualifying Children
Filing as Single, Head of Household or Widowed
CalEITC
Continued from page 2
For the 2018 tax year, this credit is available to California households with adjusted gross incomes of up to $16,750 if there are no qualifying children, and up to $24,950 if there is one or more qualifying children.
Filing as Married Filing Jointly
You qualify for CalEITC for the 2018 tax year if: n You have wages, self-employment income and adjusted gross income within certain limits, AND n You, your spouse, and any qualifying children each have a Social Security Number issued by the Social Security Administration that is valid for employment, AND
None 1 2
Investment Income Limit
Investment income must be $3,500 or less for the year.
Maximum Credit Amounts
n
The maximum amount of credit for Tax Year 2018 is: n $6,431 with three or more qualifying children n $5,716 with two qualifying children
n
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You do not use the “married/RDP filing separately” filing status, AND You lived in California for more than half the tax year.
Avoid Tax Fraud
Common Types of Tax Fraud
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HE IRS DOES NOT INITIATE contact with taxpayers by e-mail, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information. Recognize the telltale signs of a scam and avoid being a victim of a tax fraud. The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a Federal Tax Preparers Directory located on the IRS website at irs.treasury. gov to search for a trusted tax preparer near you. Tips to avoid Common Tax Fraud
n
n
n
n
Tax Phone Call
Requests for Personal Information (Phishing)
CALLS: Ask for a name, title and phone number, but do not call back. Report the incident to your local police department. Do not give out any personal information over the phone. E-MAILS: Tax authorities will not e-mail you; do not open e-mail messages supposedly from the IRS. Do not click on any links included in suspicious e-mail. PERSONAL INFORMATION: Keep your Social Security Number and other personal information safe. Do not give it out any information via phone or e-mail if you do not initiate the contact. Do not click on a link, open an attachment, or reply to an unknown source in your e-mail or social media, this may grant scammers access to your computer and other personal files with sensitive information. CHARITIES: Do not give out cash or your financial information on the phone or e-mail to solicitors asking for money to fight disease or assist victims. Look up in the charity on the Tax Exempt Organization Search tool located on the IRS website at www.irs.gov to see if it is legitimate, and then contact them directly.
Tax Preparation Tips n n
n n
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Ask for references from tax preparers. Use the Federal Tax Preparers Directory referenced in this article. Never sign a blank tax return. If you are uncertain if a complicated tax product is legitimate, seek an independent opinion before getting involved. File your taxes as early as possible.
False Tax Returns False Charities False Tax Preparers Offers to Hide Money Getting Larger Tax Refund Than You Are Entitled Offers to Tax Shelters Promises of “Free Money� Social Security Refunds
Edited form original sources: irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/tax-exempt-organization-search urbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/security/top-10-tax-scams/L3olN2VsH
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Agricultural Jobs available to U.S. workers under H-2A contract CalJOBS Number
Job Openings
99
Work Dates
Last Day to Apply
Salary
County
Commodity
AJCC
Roma and Round
Oceanside
Avocados, Valencia Oranges,
Oceanside
Phone
Riverside Broccoli
Oxnard
Red Leaf, Green Leaft,
910 Fresno
Oxnard
Oxnard Romaine, Leaf, Green Leaf, Butter) Tender Leaf, Green Leaf, Lettuce
5
Continued on next page
EDDResources Resources EDD
Voice of the Fields
www.edd.ca.gov
Published monthly by: La Cooperativa Campesina de California
Paid Family Leave
H-2A Continued from page 5 Agricultural Jobs available to U.S. workers under H-2A contract CalJOBS Number
Job Openings
Work Dates
Last Day to Apply
Salary
County
Commodity
AJCC
Resource
Iceburg Lettuce, Romaine
Onion Various
Various
Various
Various
Various
Various
Various
Various
Various
Various
6
Phone