On April 9, the California Board of Equalization (BOE) hosted a Community Tax and Family Resource Fair at West Los Angeles College. Volunteers from the BOE, Franchise Tax Board and community partners—including KYCC’s Community Economic Development unit— helped over 50 residents file their income tax returns. BOE Chair Jerome Horton and California State Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, gave opening remarks for the family financial event.

This fair was one of a series of community tax and resource events hosted by the BOE. Participants are given information on California Earned Income Tax Credit, Covered California, job placements, food and nutrition programs, discount telephone service and low-cost auto insurance. Several of the fairs also included health screenings.

“We value our partnership with our esteemed colleagues at the BOE who always bring seasoned volunteers who understand the impact of leveraging income tax filing with other resources to increase benefits to low-income families,” said Rick Kim, KYCC Community Economic Development Manager.

This is the first year that California offered Earned Income Tax Credit. Though it did not result in a significant increase in those receiving CA EIC, KYCC hopes that events like the BOE fairs will help get the word out.

KYCC has participated in the BOE fairs since 2010, when we began providing community members with free income tax services through our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. In 2015-16, we helped residents filed over 10,000 tax returns.