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How To Pay Taxes On California Unemployment Benefits

A copy of a IRS 1040 tax form.
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Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many parts of our lives. And if you’re one of the millions of Californians who collected unemployment benefits after losing work last year, the process of filing your taxes is about to change too.

We took some common questions about unemployment benefits (yes, that’s taxable income) and got answers from tax experts in Los Angeles. Among the topics: Will I benefit from the new federal tax waiver on unemployment benefits? What if I can’t afford to pay? And, what if I was sent a tax form for benefits I never received?

To find some tips that will hopefully make filing a bit easier after a tough year, read our full story here.

As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.

Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.

We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.

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