Income & eligibility
What counts as income for California benefits
These are the official documents your county caseworker uses to determine eligibility. Understanding what counts — and what doesn't — is the foundation of the MAGI strategy.
DHCS Income & Deductions Chart
The official California Department of Health Care Services document listing every income type — what counts toward MAGI, what's excluded, and what deductions apply. This is the document your county caseworker uses to determine Medi-Cal eligibility.
Medi-Cal — What Is It? (DHCS)
California's official overview of Medi-Cal eligibility, income limits, and how to apply.
BenefitsCal — Apply for Benefits
California's online portal to apply for Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, and other assistance programs. Create a case, check your status, and report changes.
Retirement accounts
Opening a retirement account in California
These resources help you understand your options and take the first step toward a Traditional IRA or other pre-tax retirement account.
CalSavers — California's State Retirement Program
California's official state-run IRA program for workers without employer plans. No minimum balance, no fees to the saver, and you can start with as little as $5/month. Includes a Traditional IRA option that lowers your MAGI.
IRS: Traditional IRAs
The IRS's official page on Traditional IRAs — contribution limits, deductibility rules, withdrawal rules, and required minimum distributions.
IRS: IRA Recharacterizations
The official IRS page on recharacterizing IRA contributions — rules, deadlines, and how to report a recharacterization on your tax return.
IRS: SEP-IRA for Self-Employed
Official IRS guidance on SEP-IRA contributions for self-employed individuals and small business owners — including the calculation formula and deduction rules.
FSA & HSA
Pre-tax health spending accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts let you pay for medical expenses with pre-tax dollars — and like retirement contributions, FSA contributions can reduce your MAGI.
IRS Publication 969 — HSAs, FSAs, and Medical Savings Accounts
The definitive IRS guide to Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Arrangements, and other tax-advantaged medical accounts. Covers contribution limits, eligible expenses, and how each type interacts with your taxes.
IRS Form 8889 — HSA Reporting
The form used to report HSA contributions and distributions on your tax return. Includes the deduction calculation for above-the-line HSA deductions that reduce MAGI.
FSA/HSA Eligibility List
A searchable database of thousands of eligible FSA and HSA expenses — from sunscreen and tampons to braces, contacts, and prescriptions. Useful for knowing what you can buy tax-free.
Health insurance
Covered California & the ACA
If your income is above the Medi-Cal limit, Covered California offers subsidized health plans. The subsidy cliff at 400% FPL makes MAGI management especially important here.
Covered California — Find Local Help
Find a certified enrollment counselor or insurance agent in your area who can help you enroll in Covered California for free.
Health for California — Income Limits Chart
A plain-language breakdown of Covered California income limits by household size, updated annually. Helpful for understanding where the subsidy cliff is for your household.
From our learn library
Related articles on CliffCalculator.com
Deep dives on the topics covered in the resources above.
The Cliff, the Trap, and the Way Out
Why the K-shaped economy keeps people stuck — and how MAGI and retirement accounts offer a way through.
Roth vs. Traditional: The Choice That Decides Your Benefits
Only one account type reduces your MAGI. Here's which one — and why it matters more than the usual tax comparison.
Already Contributed to a Roth? Here's the Fix
How IRA recharacterization can switch contributions from Roth to Traditional — even after the tax year ends.
The Self-Employed Cliff: How a SEP-IRA Can Protect Your Benefits
Gig workers, freelancers, and independent contractors have access to a retirement account with much higher contribution limits — and a much bigger MAGI impact.
FSA & HSA: The Other Way to Lower Your MAGI (and Pay for Braces Tax-Free)
Health spending accounts that reduce your taxable income — and let you buy sunscreen, tampons, braces, and hundreds of other items with pre-tax dollars.
⚠️ Please verify all information with official sources. Benefit thresholds, contribution limits, and IRS rules change annually. Nothing on this page or anywhere on CliffCalculator.com constitutes financial, legal, or benefits advice. Always confirm your specific situation with your county caseworker, a benefits counselor, or a qualified tax professional.