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California FTB Announces Issuance of Golden State Stimulus Payments

Dated May 7, 2021

SUMMARY BY TAX ANALYSTS

The California Franchise Tax Board announced that the state has begun issuing one-time Golden State Stimulus payments made available by recently enacted legislation to qualifying low-income taxpayers and claimants of the state’s earned income tax credit who file state individual income tax returns with a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number.

The FTB reviewed which groups are eligible for payments of $600 or $1,200; how to qualify; and when tax filers can expect to receive their payments.

05/06/2021

Sacramento — The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) today announced 2.5 million Golden State Stimulus (GSS) payments worth $1.6 billion have been issued to eligible taxpayers.

“We passed the recovery package to get money into the pockets of Californians who were hit hardest by this pandemic, and that's exactly what the Golden State Stimulus is doing — already getting $1.6 billion to 2.5 million Californians,” said Governor Newsom. “Californians who have not filed their 2020 taxes should know they may qualify for these funds, and we look forward to building on programs like this that invest in and support Californians in the months ahead.”

State Controller and FTB Chair Betty T. Yee said, “The Golden State Stimulus will provide a measure of relief to California taxpayers deeply affected by the pandemic. This stimulus, combined with the California Earned Income Tax Credit, will provide hundreds or even thousands of dollars to many individuals and families in need.”

To receive this assistance you must file your 2020 state income tax return.

Who receives payments

Three groups of Californians are eligible for the one-time GSS payments:

  • $600 goes to people who file with a Social Security number and claim and receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC).

  • $1,200 goes to people who file with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and claim and receive CalEITC.

  • $600 goes to taxpayers who file with an ITIN and do not qualify for CalEITC but had $75,000 or less in 2020 income.

How to qualify

To qualify for GSS, 2020 state income tax filers must:

  • Have lived in California for more than half of the 2020 tax year.

  • Be a California resident on the date the GSS payment is issued.

  • Not be eligible to be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return.

How long to receive payment

Stimulus payments were sent to Californians who filed their 2020 tax returns this year from January 1 through April 23. For returns filed on or after April 23, 2021, FTB will issue payments after eligible 2020 tax returns are processed. Eligible filers should allow up to 45 days for payment if they use direct deposit. Paper checks may take up to 60 days.

Help with the Golden State Stimulus

For a complete list of requirements and other GSS information, please visit www.ftb.ca.gov/GoldenStateStimulus4. For information on CalEITC, visit www.ftb.ca.gov/caleitc5.

There also is a separate program called the Golden State Grant (GSG), which is administered by the California Department of Social Services. The one-time GSG payments of $600 will be provided to all eligible CalWORKs Assistance Units and recipients of benefits under both the Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/State Supplementary Program (SSP) and the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) to provide COVID-19 pandemic relief. For more information on these GSG payments please visit www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/cdss-programs/golden-state-grant-program6.

FOOTNOTES

4[Editor’s Note: The text for footnote 4 does not appear in the original document.]

5[Editor’s Note: The text for footnote 5 does not appear in the original document.]

6[Editor’s Note: The text for footnote 6 does not appear in the original document.]

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