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Foster Youth Tax Credit (CA) (cash back on the California return for former foster youth aged 18 to 25): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next

The Foster Youth Tax Credit pays up to $1,189 per qualifying person (tax year 2025) to people aged 18 to 25 who were in California foster care at 13 or older and qualify for CalEITC. It is claimed on form FTB 3514 with the California return; the Department of Social Services verifies foster status.

What the Foster Youth Tax Credit is, in one paragraph

The Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC) is cash back on the California tax return for people aged 18 to 25 who were in California foster care at 13 or older and who qualify for CalEITC. The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) pays it on form FTB 3514 with CalEITC (rule:claim_on_return). The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) confirms the foster care history (rule:verify_consent). It is paid per qualifying person, so a couple where both qualify can get it twice (rule:max_credit).

up to $1,189
per qualifying person, tax year 2025; up to $2,378 when both spouses qualify (FTB, rule:max_credit)

Who may qualify

All of these:

Who qualifies on the returnMaximum, tax year 2025
One person$1,189
Both spouses or RDPs$2,378

How to apply, and what happens after

There is no application. The credit is claimed on form FTB 3514 with the California return (rule:claim_on_return). Foster status is verified one of three ways: the consent box on line 33 of FTB 3514, which lets CDSS check its database (rule:verify_consent); a verification letter attached or uploaded (rule:verify_letter); or a letter FTB mails asking for proof (rule:verify_mail). CalFile files the return free (rule:calfile_free); VITA volunteers prepare returns free (rule:vita_help; see Free tax preparation: VITA / TCE + Free File + CalFile (free ways to prepare and file federal and California returns): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next).

The credit can be claimed for tax year 2022 forward by filing or amending the return (rule:claim_window). Questions about foster status go to CDSS (rule:cdss_contact). If FTB denies the credit, the appeal goes to the Office of Tax Appeals by the date on the notice (rule:appeal_ota, rule:appeal_deadline).

The procedure, stage by stage, as data
JSONThe procedure, stage by stage, as data
11 items
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"id""stage:discover"
"order"1
"name""Discover"
"what_happens""The person learns that the Foster Youth Tax Credit exists and is paid through the California tax return, even with income too low to owe tax."
"who_acts""Person / outreach"
"timeline""Any time; the 2025 return is the current year"
"evidence""None"
"failure_mode""Not filing because no tax is owed; the credit is only paid on a filed return"
"model_role""Screen from income, children and filing facts; name every credit the same return can carry"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:screen_eligibility"
"order"2
"name""Screen eligibility"
"what_happens""Earned income, age, qualifying children, SSN or ITIN, and California residence are checked against the tax-year rules"
"who_acts""Model + person"
"timeline""Minutes"
"evidence""Earned income, dates of birth, ID numbers"
"failure_mode""Assuming an ITIN or self-employment income excludes the person"
"model_role""Apply each rule with its id; state which rules pass and which only FTB decides"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:gather_documents"
"order"3
"name""Gather documents"
"what_happens""W-2s, 1099s, self-employment records, ID numbers for every person on the return, the foster youth verification letter if there is one"
"who_acts""Person with model checklist"
"timeline""Before filing"
"evidence""W-2, 1099, SSN or ITIN cards"
"failure_mode""A missing ID number or income form stops the return"
"model_role""Build the checklist from facts already known"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:complete_application"
"order"4
"name""Complete application"
"what_happens""The California return (Form 540 or 540 2EZ) and form FTB 3514 are completed, or tax software asks the same questions"
"who_acts""Person, VITA volunteer or software; model explains"
"timeline""During filing"
"evidence""Return and FTB 3514"
"failure_mode""Credit not claimed because FTB 3514 is left out"
"model_role""Explain each FTB 3514 line in plain words; never fill or file"
"automation_class""B"
10 keys
"id""stage:submit"
"order"5
"name""Submit"
"what_happens""The return is filed by CalFile, other e-file, VITA, or paper mail"
"who_acts""Person"
"timeline""By the return due date for the year; late returns can still claim the credit within the window in rule:claim_window"
"evidence""E-file acceptance or mailing proof"
"failure_mode""No proof of filing kept"
"model_role""Point to the filing route; record the date the person says it was filed"
"automation_class""B"
10 keys
"id""stage:interview_verification"
"order"6
"name""Interview / verification"
"what_happens""FTB may review the return or send a letter asking for proof"
"who_acts""FTB + person"
"timeline""When a letter arrives; the letter states the reply date"
"evidence""The letter and the documents it asks for"
"failure_mode""Ignoring an FTB letter"
"model_role""Read the letter with the person and list what it asks for"
"automation_class""C - FTB review is human"
10 keys
"id""stage:decision"
"order"7
"name""Decision"
"what_happens""FTB processes the return and pays the refund or sends a notice of change"
"who_acts""FTB"
"timeline""FTB processing time; not stated on the fetched pages (UNKNOWN)"
"evidence""Refund or notice"
"failure_mode""A changed refund accepted without reading the notice"
"model_role""Compare the notice to the credit amount the rules give"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:issuance_use"
"order"8
"name""Issuance / use"
"what_happens""Refund by direct deposit or check, or a lower tax owed"
"who_acts""FTB"
"timeline""After processing"
"evidence""Bank deposit or check"
"failure_mode""Wrong bank details"
"model_role""Explain the refund status tools"
"automation_class""D"
10 keys
"id""stage:renew_recertify"
"order"9
"name""Renew / recertify"
"what_happens""There is no renewal: the credit is claimed again on each year's return"
"who_acts""Person"
"timeline""Every tax year"
"evidence""That year's return"
"failure_mode""Assuming last year's claim carries over"
"model_role""Remind that each year is a new claim"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:denial_response"
"order"10
"name""Denial response"
"what_happens""Read the FTB notice: what was disallowed and why"
"who_acts""Model + person"
"timeline""At once; the appeal date is on the notice"
"evidence""The notice"
"failure_mode""Treating a missing-document letter as a final denial"
"model_role""Separate a request for documents from a final decision"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:appeal_fair_hearing"
"order"11
"name""Appeal / fair hearing"
"what_happens""Appeal to the Office of Tax Appeals by the date on the notice"
"who_acts""Person (a representative may act)"
"timeline""By the appeal date on the notice (rule:appeal_deadline)"
"evidence""Notice copy and supporting documents"
"failure_mode""Sending the appeal to FTB instead of the Office of Tax Appeals"
"model_role""Give the Office of Tax Appeals address and the documents the page lists"
"automation_class""B"

The same facts open other programs

Age, foster care history and earned income are asked by:

References (8)
What this article shares with the graph
JSONWhat this article shares with the graph
6 keys
"program_id""B051"
"graph""california-benefits-graph"
"related_program_ids" 8 items
"B049"
"B052"
"B061"
"B031"
"B054"
"B056"
"B001"
"B011"
"related_programs" 8 keys
"B049""California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC)"
"B052""Federal EITC"
"B061""Extended Foster Care (AB 12) + Chafee grants"
"B031""Foster care, Adoption Assistance (AAP), Kin-GAP"
"B054""Free tax preparation: VITA / TCE + Free File + CalFile"
"B056""Cal Grant A / B / C"
"B001""CalFresh (SNAP)"
"B011""Medi-Cal (Medicaid)"
"triggered_by_events" 2 items
"event:leaving_foster_care_18_21"
"event:child_ages_out_family_status_shifts_18th_birthday_aging_out_of_child_only_rules"
"shares_facts_with" 3 keys
"household.income.earned_annual" 3 items
"B049"
"B050"
"B052"
"person.identity.date_of_birth" 4 items
"B001"
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"person.history.foster_care_ca_at_13_plus" 1 item
"B061"

Official addresses

  • File free: CalFile
  • The credit: FTB Foster Youth Tax Credit
  • Foster status questions: CDSS, 916-651-8848, weekdays 8 AM to 5 PM; 744 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
  • FTB customer service: 800-852-5711, weekdays 8 AM to 5 PM (phone page)
  • Appeal: Office of Tax Appeals, PO Box 989880, West Sacramento CA 95798-9880; fax 916-492-2089; phone 916-206-4355 (how to appeal)
Related pages
Beside
California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) (cash back on the California tax return for low-wage workers): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextFederal EITC (the IRS Earned Income Tax Credit for low- and moderate-wage workers): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextExtended Foster Care (AB 12) and the Chafee Grant (support to age 21 and college money to age 26 for foster youth): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextFoster care, Kin-GAP and Adoption Assistance (California monthly payments for children in foster care, guardianship and adoption): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextFree tax preparation: VITA / TCE + Free File + CalFile (free ways to prepare and file federal and California returns): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextCal Grant A, B and C (California's state college grant that does not have to be repaid): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextCalFresh (California food benefits): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextMedi-Cal (California Medicaid health coverage): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
References (16)
  1. Foster Youth Tax Credit — California Franchise Tax Board“For tax year 2025, the Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC) provides up to $1,189 per eligible individual or up to $2,378 if both primary taxpayer and spouse/RDP qualify.”
  2. Foster Youth Tax Credit — California Franchise Tax Board“Qualify for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC)”
  3. Foster Youth Tax Credit — California Franchise Tax Board“Were ages 18 to 25 at the end of the tax year”
  4. Foster Youth Tax Credit — California Franchise Tax Board“Were in foster care at age 13 or older and placed through the California foster care system”
  5. Foster Youth Tax Credit — California Franchise Tax Board“Add your foster youth verification letter when paper filing, or upload the letter (if possible) when e-filing.”
  6. Foster Youth Tax Credit — California Franchise Tax Board“If neither option one or two of this list applies, FTB will mail you a letter requesting that you provide verification.”
  7. Foster Youth Tax Credit — California Franchise Tax Board“You may claim FYTC for tax year 2022 forward by filing or amending your state income tax return.”
  8. Foster Youth Tax Credit — California Franchise Tax Board“Filing your state tax return is required to claim this credit.”
  9. Foster Youth Tax Credit — California Franchise Tax Board“For questions on your status as a foster youth at or after age 13, contact CDSS.”
  10. Appeal a decision — California Franchise Tax Board“If you don’t agree with a notice of action or a claim for refund denial or if we have not accepted or denied your refund claim within six months, submit an appeal to the Office of Tax Appeals.”
  11. Appeal a decision — California Franchise Tax Board“Submit your appeal by the appeal date on your notice.”
  12. Phone / fax — California Franchise Tax Board“Our contact center services are currently unavailable.”
  13. CalFile — California Franchise Tax Board“Use CalFile to e-file your state tax return directly to the Franchise Tax Board.”
  14. Eligibility and credit information (CalEITC) — California Franchise Tax Board“Tax year 2025 maximum income and credit amounts for CalEITC and related tax credits”
  15. Eligibility and credit information (CalEITC) — California Franchise Tax Board“Also, you may receive free tax help through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.”