( CALMATTERS) – There are two important dates for your calendar next week:
Taxes: Monday is the deadline to file state income taxes for almost all of California. The date was delayed from April 18 for residents in 55 counties covered by federal disaster declarations due to the devastating winter storms. (Residents of Modoc and Shasta had an Aug. 15 deadline, while only people in Lassen had the normal April deadline.) The Franchise Tax Board has more information.
It’s not only the last day to file returns to avoid penalties, but also to become eligible for the earned income, child and foster youth tax credits.
- State Controller Malia Cohen, in a statement: “These cash-back credits can put hundreds or even thousands of dollars back in the pockets of families struggling to make ends meet.”
The later tax deadline complicated the state budget, which for 2023-24 covered a $30 billion-plus deficit. In the latest revenue outlook, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office said revenues could be $9.5 billion higher than projections, but that would still mean a $10 billion deficit for 2024-25. Another caution from the LAO: “It is entirely possible that revenues could end up $15 billion higher or lower than our estimate for 2023-24 and $30 billion higher or lower for 2024-25.”
Earthquakes: Thursday, the state plans to test its MyShake app, which was designed to blare a warning on phones of an earthquake moments before they’re expected to hit. To test its features and to prepare users to take cover, the app will set off an alert at 10:19 a.m. More than 9 million people in California have enrolled in the drill, which will also go off on phones in Oregon and Washington. To participate, register and download the MyShake app for your iPhone or Android device.