Illustrative newsroom photograph: Brad Weaver / Unsplash.
SACRAMENTO, California — Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Community NEWS Act on September 30, creating refundable employment tax credits for qualifying local news organizations beginning in 2027.
Assembly Bill 2222 covers eligible print, digital and broadcast outlets, including qualifying nonprofits and public broadcasters. The program applies to taxable years 2027 through 2031.
Support for retained jobs and new positions
The law provides $20,000 for each of an outlet’s first five qualifying journalists continuously employed full time, $15,000 for each additional qualifying full-time journalist and $7,500 for qualifying part-time journalists. It also provides an additional $15,000 for qualifying new full-time journalism positions.
Because the credit is refundable, an eligible outlet can receive the balance remaining after applicable tax obligations are addressed. Qualifying tax-exempt organizations can also benefit.
Eligibility goes beyond publishing news
Participating organizations must satisfy California business and local-news requirements, publicly disclose their beneficial owners or nonprofit board, carry media liability insurance and maintain an accessible corrections policy. The law also defines qualifying journalists, residency, work hours and compensation.
For broadcasters, the significance is straightforward: the support targets journalism employment across distribution platforms. A radio or television newsroom does not have to become a newspaper to qualify.
Signing the law establishes the program; it does not establish that a particular outlet or employee qualifies. News organizations should review the statutory definitions and subsequent state filing guidance before calculating an expected credit.
Sources: California Legislature — AB 2222 · Assemblymember Christopher Ward’s September 30 announcement.