When does the golden state stimulus go out

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Tuesday marks the last day that the final batch of Golden State Stimulus II checks are expected to be mailed out, according to a schedule from the California’s Franchise Tax Board.

The payments will be going to eligible recipients who live in areas with ZIP codes ending in 928-999, FTB’s website shows. The checks can take up to three weeks to show up once mailed.

California began issuing expanded GSS II payments of up to $1,100 in late August and has since distributed the funds to millions of residents who qualified for the program.

Those eligible included California residents who submitted a 2020 state income tax return, reported earnings of $1 to $75,000 last year, have a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and weren’t claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer.

Some additional payments are anticipated to go out, however, as California extended the deadline for individuals who applied for an ITIN by the Oct. 15 tax deadline but didn’t receive by then. That group has until Feb. 15. to file their taxes and potentially qualify for a Golden State Stimulus payment.

It’s still not clear yet whether the state will enact the program again this year and provide another round of direct payments to residents. For the consecutive year, California’s budget surplus is projected to exceed its constitutional limit, meaning the excess money will have go back to taxpayers in some form or another.

While Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget released Monday didn’t include more Golden State payments, he also didn’t rule out the prospect of future stimulus checks when asked about the matter.

“That’s an open-ended question,” he responded, noting the state’s surplus could will likely change before the May revision is due.

“What form … and to what degree in terms of total amounts of dollars will be determined more closely in May,” Newsom said.

The governor’s proposed budget is for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts July 1.

California is sending out a new round of Golden State Stimulus payments on Oct. 5 via direct deposit and checks in the mail.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The next round of Golden State Stimulus II payments should hit bank accounts and mailboxes starting on Oct. 5. 

The California Franchise Tax Board plans to send out 705,000 total payments in this latest round, including about 330,000 direct deposits and about 375,000 paper checks. This is the first time the state has sent out mailed checks for the Golden State Stimulus II.   

The state of California is in the process of sending Golden State Stimulus (GSS) payments to about 9 million eligible people. In the previous two rounds, the state’s Franchise Tax Board (FTB) sent payments to about 2.6 million people.

Although the payments will go out on Oct. 5, some people may not receive the money for several days or even weeks.

Andrew LePage with the FTB said direct deposits typically show up in accounts within a few business days. FTB advises people expecting mailed checks to allow up to three weeks for them to arrive.

Stimulus payment timing

The state says most direct deposit payments will be made by Oct. 31 but adds that some payments could take extra time. Also, if you filed your tax return after Sept. 1, it could take 45 days after your return is processed to send out the GSS payment.

The state has also updated its timeframes for paper checks. The payments will go out based on the last 3 digits of the ZIP code on your 2020 tax return:

  • 000-044      10/06/-10/27/21
  • 045-220      10/18-11/05/21
  • 221-375      11/1/-11/19/21
  • 376-584      11/15-12/03/21
  • 585-719      11/29-12/17/21
  • 720-927      12/13-12/31/21
  • 928-999      12/27/21-1/11/22

The FTB said if the tax return isn’t processed by the date of your scheduled payment, it could take 60 days after FTB processes the return.

Future direct deposit payments will follow a similar timeline to the mailed checks. "The state plans to make future GSS II direct deposit payments around the time (within a few days prior) of the starting date for future batches of paper checks to be mailed," LePage said.

This means that direct deposits can be expected around:

  • Oct. 18
  • Nov. 1
  • Nov. 15
  • Nov. 29
  • Dec. 13
  • Dec. 27

To make sure you receive a Golden State Stimulus II payment, people need to file a 2020 tax return by Oct. 15, 2021.

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Golden State Stimulus II eligibility

  • $600 payments will be made to qualified taxpayers with a Social Security number, an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) between $1-$75,000 (both individuals and joint filers), and didn't receive the first round of Golden State Stimulus payments.
  • $1,000 payments will go out to qualified ITIN filers making $75,000 or less and have one or more dependents.
  • Additional payment for families with dependents. Eligible families who file with a Social Security Number with one or more dependents are eligible for an additional $500.

If you are wondering how much you could receive from the Golden State Stimulus, the FTB has a tool here.

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Direct deposit vs paper check

The FTB is sending out Golden State Stimulus payments in two ways; direct deposit and paper checks sent in the mail. In general, you can expect to get the payment using the same refund option you selected when filing taxes.

Typically, you’ll receive this payment using the refund option you selected on your tax return.

  • Direct deposit: If you selected direct deposit as your refund option on your tax return
  • Paper check in the mail:
    • If you selected paper check as your refund option on your tax return
    • If you received an advanced refund through your tax service provider or paid your tax preparation fees using your refund

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When can we expect our Golden State stimulus?

If you received the Golden State Stimulus by debit card, you can expect to receive a debit card for the Middle Class Tax Refund. All payments by debit card will be sent by January 15, 2023. The FTB expects 90% of payments to be issued in October.

Has the Golden State stimulus 2 been sent out yet?

As of the latest round, California will have issued more than 8.2 million Golden State Stimulus II checks and direct deposits valued at more than $5.9 billion.

How do I check the status of my Golden State stimulus?

If you believe you have qualified for the Golden State Stimulus, but have not received the payment through no fault of your own, you can contact the CFTB. 916-845-6500 (outside the U.S.)