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AB 838 proposes larger renter tax credit after 40 years; committee refers measure to suspense file
Summary
AB 838 would raise California’s renter tax credit after four decades, with author saying current credits ($60 single, $120 joint) have not kept pace with rental-cost increases. Supporters from the rental housing sector and taxpayer groups backed the change; the committee sent the bill to the suspense file.
Vice Chair Todd presented AB 838, a proposal to increase California’s renter tax credit, which the author said currently provides $60 for single filers and $120 for joint filers and has not been adjusted in over 40 years.
The author said many renters spend 30–50% of income on housing and cited Public Policy Institute of California findings that more than half of some racial groups are cost‑burdened. The bill would raise the renter tax credit to a higher level; witnesses at the hearing described different proposed figures. Angie Manetti of the California Apartment Association testified the credit should be increased and said AB 838 would raise the credit “to help our lowest wage earners,” and the association urged committee support. John Capal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association also testified in favor, saying the association traditionally supports an increase in the homeowner exemption when coupled with support for a renter increase.
Testimony included back‑and‑forth about the exact proposed amounts. The bill text presented and several witnesses referenced a proposal that increases the renters’ credit (the author discussed raising amounts and said the numbers were chosen to reflect current rent burdens); some witnesses described proposed figures of $2,000 for joint filers and $1,000 for individuals, while others referred to $2,000 for spouses and $1,000 for individuals. Chair Gibson announced AB 838 would be referred to the committee suspense file; no opposition witnesses were recorded at the hearing.
