Golden State Stimulus I

California will provide the Golden State Stimulus payment to families and individuals who qualify. This is a one-time $600 or $1,200 payment per tax return. You may receive this payment if you receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) or file with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

The Golden State Stimulus aims to:

  • Support low-income Californians
  • Help those facing a hardship due to COVID-19

For most Californians who qualify, you don’t need to do anything to receive the stimulus payment.

The GSS I payment is a different payment than the Golden State Stimulus II (GSS II).

When you'll receive your payment

We schedule and issue stimulus payments twice a month after eligible 2020 tax returns are processed.

Your stimulus payment will not be scheduled until your return is processed. Review our Wait Times dashboard for tax return and refund processing timeframes.

If you filed your tax return between January 1, 2021 and March 1, 2021:

You will receive your stimulus payment beginning after April 15, 2021.

  • Direct deposits: Allow up to 2 weeks
  • Paper checks: Allow up to 4 to 6 weeks for mailing

If you filed your tax return between March 2, 2021 and April 23, 2021:

You will receive your stimulus payment beginning after May 1.

  • Direct deposits: Allow up to 2 weeks
  • Paper checks: Allow up to 4 to 6 weeks for mailing

If you file your tax return after April 23, 2021:

  • Direct deposits: Allow up to 45 days after your return has processed
  • Paper checks: Allow up to 60 days after your return has processed

Some payments may need extra time to process for accuracy and completeness.

Check if you qualify for the Golden State Stimulus

To qualify, you must:

  • Have filed your 2020 taxes
  • Be either:
    • A CalEITC recipient
    • An ITIN filer who made $75,000 or less (total CA AGI)
  • Live in California for more than half of the 2020 tax year
  • Be a California resident on the date payment is issued
  • Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer

You must include your ITIN on your tax return. Your ITIN cannot be pending. Wait to file your tax return until you have your ITIN. You are eligible for the GSS if you file on or before October 15. If you have applied for your ITIN but have not received it by October 15, 2021, you have until February 15, 2022 to file your 2020 tax return to claim your GSS I.

Qualify for CalEITC

To qualify for CalEITC, you must:

  • Have taxable earned income up to $30,000
  • Not use “married/RDP filing separately” if married or RDP
  • Meet all other qualifications

Visit CalEITC for more qualifications and other information.

To make sure you receive your payment, file your 2020 tax return by October 15, 2021.

If you don’t qualify for GSS I, you may qualify for GSS II.

What you'll receive

If you meet these qualifications, you may receive either:

  • A one-time $600 payment
  • A one-time $1,200 payment

The payment will be by direct deposit or check in the mail per tax return.

Use the table below to determine your amount.

Your stimulus amount
On your 2020 tax return… Stimulus amount
You are a CalEITC recipient $600
You:
  • Are a CalEITC recipient;
  • File with an ITIN; and
  • Made $75,000 or less (total CA AGI)
 $1,200
You are not a CalEITC recipient, but you:
  • File with an ITIN and
  • Made $75,000 or less (total CA AGI)
 $600
You file a joint return and:
  • At least one of you files with an ITIN
  • Made $75,000 or less (total CA AGI)
 $600
You file a joint return and:
  • You are a CalEITC recipient
  • At least one of you files with an ITIN
  • Made $75,000 or less (total CA AGI)
 $1,200

Typically, you'll receive this payment using the refund option you selected on your tax return. If you received an advanced refund through your tax service provider, or paid your tax preparation fees using your refund, you'll receive your payment by check in the mail.

Stimulus payment deadline

To make sure you receive your payment, file your 2020 tax returns by October 15, 2021.

How to get your payment

If you qualify, or think you may qualify, for the Golden State stimulus payment you need to file your 2020 tax return. If you qualify for CalEITC, make sure you claim it on your return.

Use the table below to help guide you.

Scenarios for claiming the Golden State Stimulus
Scenario What to do
You already filed your 2020 taxes and received a CalEITC refund. You don't need to do anything. You will receive your payment by direct deposit or paper check.
You filed your 2020 taxes with your ITIN and made $75,000 or less (total CA AGI). You don't need to do anything. You will receive your payment by direct deposit or paper check.
You filed your 2020 taxes but did not claim CalEITC and you're eligible for CalEITC. You will complete and mail in the California Earned Income Tax Credit (FTB 3514). Visit You didn’t claim the 2020 CalEITC but you qualified for more information.
You will file a 2020 tax return but will not claim CalEITC. You may still be eligible for the stimulus payment for 2020 if you (or your spouse):
  • File with an ITIN and
  • Made $75,000 or less (total CA AGI)
Be sure to file your 2020 tax return no later than October 15, 2021.

Check stimulus payment status

Refer to when you’ll receive your payment. Allow 45 days beyond mailing timeframes to allow for processing. If it’s been over 45 days, contact us.

Need some help?

Visit Help with Golden State Stimulus for more information. Topics include:

  • You believe you qualify but haven't received a payment
  • How to return a payment you received in error
  • Stimulus payments
  • What to do if you moved