2026

To bring free, high-quality tax preparation directly to communities where it was needed most, Golden State Opportunity partnered with LAVITA for a second year on its EITC Bus Tour.

The method? A fully outfitted bus with computer stations and a staff of helpful Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) certified volunteers, ready to help clients file and claim their taxes. The bus, courtesy of GSO partner The Community College Foundation, traveled for eight weeks across Northern California, the Central Valley, the Central Coast, and Southern California.

It served eight communities over 30 days and provided 168 hours of free tax help. Along the way, the team helped taxpayers claim refunds, file many years of past tax returns, and access valuable tax credits they may not have realized they qualified for, all after the official tax filing deadline. Through its on-the-ground work, we have found that many people don’t realize they can still file their taxes after the April 15 deadline if they don’t owe taxes, or that they can file prior-year returns they previously missed. As a result, many eligible filers are able to claim significant refunds and tax credits they didn’t know they qualified for.

By the numbers, the 2026 EITC Bus made a meaningful impact:

  • 8 communities served
  • 30 service days
  • 168 scheduled service hours
  • 156 completed federal and state tax returns
  • $85,757 in federal and state tax refunds secured
  • $22,734 claimed through the federal Earned Income Tax Credit
  • $7,369 claimed through the California Earned Income Tax Credit

2026 EITC Bus Tour

But for the team doing the taxes, the most important takeaway wasn’t just the numbers—it was establishing trust with their clients and making sure they got all of the money back they were owed. “Considering this was only our second year of the bus tour, I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished,” said Senior Organizing Manager Andy Rodriguez. “We reached more community members, expanded our partnerships, increased the number of consultations and tax returns prepared—including helping people file multiple years of returns—and attracted new partners who are eager to participate next year. By every measure, the bus tour was a success and laid the foundation for even greater impact in the years ahead.”

This year, the EITC Bus Tour expanded its approach to meeting residents where they already gather, including new community-based locations such as local swap meets, community events and, in San Bernardino, the Mexican consulate. Everywhere we went, one clear pattern emerged: making sure that the community knew when and where they could find free tax help and that they could trust that help made all the difference.

At consulates, for example, individuals were already renewing their documents, accessing legal services and other services, which created a natural entry point for connecting them to our tax assistance because of their trust in the consulate. Similarly, partnerships with trusted, local organizations like El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center helped raise awareness of the clinic through existing community networks. “The trust was already there,” said Jose Quezada, Southern California Organizer, who helped coordinate the tour. “Once people understood who we were and why we were there, they were much more willing to take advantage of the service.”

 

2026 EITC Bus Tour

As we look toward next year’s EITC Bus tour, we plan to build on what worked best by expanding partnerships with trusted community organizations, reaching more underserved communities, and continuing to ensure Californians can access the refunds and tax credits they’ve earned.

Because when free tax preparation comes from a trusted source, it does more than save families money—it opens the door to greater financial stability and opportunity.

Thank you to all of our partners for this year’s tour:

African American Cultural Center
Butte County Library
City of Palm Springs (Leisure Park)
CSET Community Services Employment Training
Dinuba High School
Earlimart Senior Center
El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center
LAVITA Community Financial Organization
Assemblymember Leticia Castillo
Mexican Consulate of San Bernardino
Rubidoux Swap Meet
San Benito County Free Library
Santa Barbara County District 2 Supervisor Laura Capps
Santa Barbara Public Library
United Way of Santa Barbara

 

Read more about our work bringing free tax prep where it’s needed most. →