Bill > AB1481

This bill adds a new tax credit for qualified taxpayers who file a federal Petition for Alien Relative (I-130) form, which is used in family-based immigration processes. The credit will be available for taxable years from 2026 to 2030, with different amounts depending on whether the form is filed on paper ($675) or online ($625). To be considered a qualified taxpayer, individuals must have an adjusted gross income of $120,000 or less (or $250,000 or less for joint filers, heads of household, and surviving spouses). Taxpayers are limited to one credit per taxable year, and in cases of joint or separate filing, only one credit can be claimed. If the credit exceeds the taxpayer's net tax, the excess can be carried forward for up to seven years. The bill requires the Franchise Tax Board to report on the total dollar amount and number of credits issued, with the goal of supporting legal immigration by offsetting the cost of family immigration petition filing fees. The legislation aims to ensure that expensive immigration processes do not burden families seeking legal unification and to reinforce the value of legal immigration to communities and the economy.

Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1481