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Local news organizations have spent the past decade under sustained financial pressure, and many have cut newsroom staff to stay afloat. A growing number of states are responding with an unusual tool: the tax code. California is the latest, enacting a California journalism tax credit that rewards newsrooms for the journalists they employ. With the credit now law, news organizations across the state have a new reason to review their state tax position.

The new credit comes from Assembly Bill 2222 (AB 2222), the Community Newsroom Employment and Workforce Sustainability (NEWS) Act, known as the Community NEWS Act. It creates a refundable state tax credit tied to the number of journalists a news organization employs. The law is worth understanding because the tax code is becoming a recurring tool for states trying to keep local reporting viable.

Governor Newsom signed the bill into law on September 30, 2026. AB 2222 was authored by Assemblymembers Christopher Ward (D-San Diego) and Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland).

Key Takeaways

• The California journalism tax credit in Assembly Bill 2222 creates a refundable state tax credit for local news organizations based on the number of journalists they employ. Governor Newsom signed it into law on September 30, 2026, and the credits take effect for tax years 2027 through 2031.
• California is not the first to act. New York, Illinois, and New Mexico already offer refundable tax credits that support local newsrooms.
• The California credit covers nonprofit newsrooms as well as commercial outlets, and because it is refundable, an organization can benefit even with little or no state tax liability. Eligibility differs by state, however, so each organization should confirm the rules that apply to it.
• Eligibility for these credits generally depends on two tests: whether the outlet qualifies as a news organization and whether the individual qualifies as a journalist under the statute.
• News organizations should confirm now whether they qualify, and California outlets should evaluate eligibility now that AB 2222 is law.

What Does California's Community NEWS Act Do?

AB 2222 takes what supporters describe as a "news-neutral" approach. Rather than singling out particular publishers, it offers a refundable credit to qualifying local news organizations based on the journalists they employ, regardless of the outlet’s size or structure. The credit is designed to reward both retaining existing reporting jobs and creating new ones.

Under the enacted law, for taxable years 2027 through 2031, AB 2222 allows a qualified news organization a credit of $20,000 for each qualifying full-time journalist it employs, for up to five positions, and $15,000 for each additional journalist beyond five. It also adds a $15,000 credit for each newly created journalist position, which stacks on top of the retention credit, and part-time positions qualify for a reduced amount. That structure gives the largest proportional benefit to the smallest newsrooms, which can claim the higher $20,000 rate across their full staff.

Two features stand out from a state tax perspective. First, the credit is refundable. That distinction matters because a refundable credit can produce value even for an organization with little or no state tax liability, which is often the case for smaller outlets and nonprofit newsrooms. Second, qualifying organizations claim the credit directly rather than competing for a limited pool of funding. That is a meaningful contrast with how similar programs work in other states.

Because the credits first apply in tax year 2027, eligible organizations have time to understand the rules and plan accordingly.

The Trend Toward State Journalism Tax Credits

California is not the first. With AB 2222 signed, California becomes the fourth state to adopt a journalist employment credit, following New York, Illinois, and New Mexico. New York moved first through its Empire State Newspaper and Broadcast Media Jobs Program. Illinois followed in 2025 with its own refundable credit for local news outlets, and New Mexico enacted a similar measure in 2026. What began as a single experiment in New York has become a recognizable model, and advocates are pressing comparable proposals in other states.

The common thread is a shift in how states think about local news. Instead of one-time grants, these programs use the recurring, administrable structure of a tax credit, which is familiar territory for any organization that already works through state filings. For news organizations, that means the relevant question is no longer only "will my state help?" but "does my state already offer something I have not claimed?"

Who Qualifies, and How Do These Credits Work?

Eligibility for these programs generally comes down to two tests:

1. Whether the outlet qualifies as a news organization
2. Whether the individual qualifies as a journalist under the statute

Qualifying outlets typically include digital, broadcast, and print organizations, though the finer points differ by program. California's law extends to nonprofit newsrooms, public media, and even sole proprietors. New York’s program is limited, excluding nonprofits, and that kind of variation is easy to miss but directly affects whether an organization can claim anything. California’s law also sets conditions beyond headcount. Qualifying organizations must maintain editorial standards, including publicly posting an error-correction and clarification policy, and organizations controlled by political or social-welfare entities are excluded.

An organization that uses state credit programs that require an application and an approval process should not assume every program works that way. The mechanics differ from state to state as well, and the differences matter. California's approach lets qualifying organizations claim the credit directly on their tax returns. For a sense of how a claimable credit’s eligibility and steps typically work, see our guide on how to claim the historic tax credit.

What Your Organization Should Do Now

Now that AB 2222 is law, news organizations have practical steps to take. If you operate in California, evaluate your eligibility and identify which positions may qualify. Because the credits apply beginning in tax year 2027, early planning gives you time to confirm which of your positions qualify and to document them properly.

State programs are appearing and changing quickly, and the details, from the definition of a journalist to how the credit is claimed, vary in ways that affect the benefit. EisnerAmper's State and Local Tax team helps news organizations and not-for-profit organizations understand which credits and incentives apply to them and how to claim them. If you want to review your eligibility and prepare for what the California Community NEWS Act means for you, reach out to our State and Local Tax professionals to talk through your situation.

This article was prepared with AI assistance and edited and enhanced by EisnerAmper professionals for accuracy and completeness. All technical content, analysis, and recommendations reflect the knowledge of our team.