The Second Golden State Stimulus Checks: Latest Updates

California’s second Golden State Stimulus check is set to roll out early this month, with payments ranging from $500-$1,100 for eligible residents. A part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s ambitious ‘California Comeback Plan,’ the Golden State Stimulus payments aim to support low and middle-income residents and those struggling due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Californians who have filed their 2020 tax returns are eligible for these checks.

About Golden State Stimulus 1

The first round of Golden State Stimulus offered a one-time payment of $600 or $1,200 to qualifying individuals. The qualifications set for the first GSS payment are-

You must file for 2020 tax returns
You need to be a CalEITC recipient or an ITIN filer who made $75k or less (total CA AGI)
You need to be a California resident on the date of payment
You cannot be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer
You have lived in California for more than half of the 2020 tax year

If you have filed your tax returns for 2020, you may receive your payments as a direct deposit or via paper checks. Note that it may take some time for you to receive the due amount. You have until October 15, 2021, to file your tax return and receive these payments.

The Second Golden State Stimulus Checks

The second stimulus checks are set to provide monetary support to almost two-thirds of Californians. Checks of $500 and $1,100 will be disbursed from this week to those who qualify. You’ll qualify for the second GSS payment if you meet the following conditions –

File your taxes by October 15, 2021
Have a CA AGI (California Adjusted Gross Income) of $1-$75,000 in 2020*
Be a resident of California for more than half of 2020
Have wages of $0-$75,000
Be a resident of California on the payment date
Not be a dependent of another taxpayer**

*Read line 17 of Form 540 and line 16 of Form 540 2EZ for more information.
**A dependent is a qualifying child or relative. You can learn more about dependents and other relevant tax information here.

How Will You Receive Your Second GSS Payment?

You will receive your payment by direct deposit or through a check in the mail. Generally, the payment is made to the option you selected while submitting your tax return. You may also receive a paper check in the mail –

If you received an advanced payment through your tax service provider.
OR
If you paid your tax preparation fees by using your refund.

How Much Will You Receive?

The amount varies depending on whether you have an SSN (Social Security number) or an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) and any of the following scenarios. Here is a list of possible scenarios and the stimulus amount you may receive –

If you have an SSN –

If you qualified for GSS 1 but did not file for one or more dependents, you won’t receive any payment
If you qualified for GSS 1 and claimed credit for 1 or more dependents, you may receive $500
If you did not qualify for GSS 1 and did not claim credit for 1 or more dependents, you may receive $600
If you did not qualify for GSS 1 but claimed credit for 1 or more dependents, you may receive $1,100

If you have an ITIN –

If you did not qualify for GSS 1 but did not claim credit for 1 or more dependents, you do not qualify for the GSS 2
If you qualified for GSS 1 and claimed credit for 1 or more dependents, you may receive $1,000

Note: If you are married but want to file your tax returns separately, visit this website.

When Will You Receive The Second GSS Check?

The second Golden State Stimulus checks have started rolling out, and some 600,000 eligible California taxpayers may be credited with the payments soon. However, some payments may take some time to ensure accuracy and completeness of distribution. You should note that you must file your 2020 tax returns within October 15, 2021, to receive these payments.

Tracking The Second Golden State Stimulus Status

You can reach out to the California Franchise Tax Board (CTFB) for any tax, or Golden State Stimulus checks concerns. You can reach out to them by calling them at 800-852-5711 from Monday through Friday (8 AM-5 PM Pacific Time). If you reside outside of the US, call 916-845-6500.

You need to create or sign in to your MyFTB account in order to chat with the CTFB representatives. They are available on weekdays between 8 AM to 5 PM. You can also send any questions, documents or communicate with the officials at CTFB by mailing them. You can address the correspondence to Franchise Tax Board, PO Box 942840, Sacramento, CA.

Final Word

The key to getting a Golden State Stimulus payment is to file your 2020 tax returns within the allotted time frame. You don’t need to do or follow any set conditions to receive these payments. If you do not qualify for the second GSS payment, you may be eligible for the first one. Even if you have already qualified for the first GSS payment, you may be eligible for additional payment via the second GSS if you have dependents. Check out this page for more information.