5020PC: Homeless Hiring Tax Credit Certificate (Revision 2022-08)
California · FTB · Used for tax years 2024, 2025, 2026
California Form FTB 5020 PC is the Homeless Hiring Tax Credit Certificate. A qualifying continuum of care or community-based service provider completes it to certify that an eligible employee is experiencing homelessness or has received supportive services from a homeless service
Who files this form
A continuum of care or a community-based service provider completes this certificate to certify an eligible employee’s homelessness or receipt of supportive services from a homeless services provider.
Only organizations connected to a local coordinated entry system or a local Homeless Management Information System may certify an employee.
Employers must keep the certificate for their records, not file it with their tax return.
What you'll need
The certificate asks for:
- Employee name and date of hire.
- Employer name.
- Certifying organization’s name, address, and phone number.
- Whether the employee is a new hire or was previously certified with this employer.
- The authorized signer’s printed name, signature, and date of certification.
How to file
The certifying organization completes the employee, employer, and organization information, checks the applicable certification box, and signs and dates the certificate.
Employers: do not file this certificate with your tax return. Keep it for your records. You must provide a copy to the Franchise Tax Board upon request.
Common mistakes
- Sending the certificate with your tax return. The form specifically says not to do this.
- Failing to keep the certificate. Employers must retain it and provide a copy to the Franchise Tax Board upon request.
- Overlooking its expiration. The certificate expires one year after the certification date.
- Signing without checking the information. The signer certifies under penalty of perjury that the form and any attachments are true, correct, and complete to the best of their knowledge and ability.
Questions people ask
What does the “New Hire” box certify?
It certifies that the employee was experiencing homelessness or had received supportive services from a homeless services provider on the date of hire or during the 180 days immediately before that date.
What does the “Previously Certified” box certify?
This box is for an employee previously certified with the same employer. It certifies that the employee was experiencing homelessness or had received supportive services on the new certification date or during the 180 days immediately before that date.
How long is the certificate valid?
It expires one year after the certification date.
Where can I find more information about the credit?
Go to ftb.ca.gov and search for “homeless hiring tax credit.”