Help with Golden State Stimulus

Golden State Stimulus II

California Adjusted Gross Income (CA AGI)

You must have $1 to $75,000 of California AGI to qualify for GSS II. Only certain income is included in your CA AGI (listed below). If you have income that's on this list, you may meet the CA AGI qualification. To receive GSS II and calculate your CA AGI, you need to file a complete 2020 tax return by October 15, 2021. Visit Ways to file, including free options, for more information.

Income included in CA AGI

Generally, these are included in your CA AGI:

  • Wages and self-employment income
  • Tips
  • Interest (e.g. savings account)
  • Dividends
  • Rental income
  • Pension/retirement income
  • Gains on a sale of property

Visit Income types for a list of the common types of income.

Income excluded from CA AGI

Generally, these are not included in your CA AGI:

  • Social Security
  • CalWorks and CalFresh benefits
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/State Supplementary Payment (SSP) and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)
  • State Disability Insurance (SDI) and VA disability benefits
  • Unemployment income

You would generally not qualify for GSS II if these were your only sources of income. However, if you have income that is included in CA AGI in addition to this list, you may qualify for GSS II.

For information about specific situations, refer to federal Form 1040 and 1040-SR Instructions and California 2020 Instructions for Form 540. Go to Line 17 of Form 540 for CA AGI.

If you receive Social Security

You may be wondering whether or not you qualify for GSS II if you receive Social Security income. Social Security income is not included in CA AGI. However, if you have $1 or more of CA AGI (up to $75,000), you may qualify for GSS II.

If Social Security is your only form of income, you will not receive a payment. However, some people who receive Social Security income may qualify because they receive other income.

Scenario: Judy receives $2,700 a month in Social Security income and has a savings account. When she files her 2020 income tax return, she reports $32,400 of Social Security income and $12.37 of taxable interest from her savings account. Since the taxable interest counts toward her CA AGI, she qualifies for the stimulus payment if she meets all other requirements of GSS II.

Review CA Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Qualification for a list of common types of income.

Received a Golden State Stimulus I (GSS I) payment

If you already received a GSS I payment, you may receive an additional payment under GSS II if you have dependents. Visit GSS II: What you may receive for more information.

Do not qualify for GSS II

If you do not qualify for GSS II, you may qualify for GSS I. Visit Golden State Stimulus I for more information.

Married filing separately

Use the tables below to determine your amount if you are married filing separately.

Social Security number

If you are married filing separately, have a Social Security number and meet all the GSS II requirements, these are the amounts you may receive.

Scenario Stimulus Amount
Qualified for GSS I
Claimed a credit for 1 or more dependents 		$250
Did not qualify for GSS I
Did not claim a credit for 1 or more dependents 		$300
Did not qualify for GSS I
Claimed a credit for 1 or more dependents 		$550
Qualified for GSS I
Did not claim a credit for 1 or more dependents 		$0
You do not qualify for GSS II

If you have an ITIN

If you are married filing separately, have an ITIN and meet all the GSS II requirements, these are the amounts you may receive.

Scenario Stimulus Amount
Qualified for GSS I
Did not claim a credit for 1 or more dependents 		$0
You do not qualify for GSS II
Qualified for GSS I
Claimed a credit for 1 or more dependents 		$500

Golden State Stimulus I

GSS I and GSS II

If you already received a GSS I payment, you may receive an additional payment under GSS II if you have dependents. Visit GSS II: What you’ll receive for more information.

You believe you qualify, received CalEITC, but did not receive a payment

If you think you qualify for the Golden State Stimulus I, and did not receive a payment, contact us. Allow 45 days beyond mailing timeframes to allow for processing.

You didn’t claim the 2020 CalEITC but you qualified

If you would like the stimulus payment, see if you qualify for CalEITC. If you do:

  1. Download, print, and complete California Earned Income Tax Credit (FTB 3514). Visit CalEITC for more information.
  2. Mail this form to:

    PIT Correspondence
    Franchise Tax Board
    PO Box 942840
    Sacramento CA 94240-0040

You do not need to amend your tax return.

The remainder of content applies to both GSS I and GSS II.

Eligibility and qualifications

How to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

Visit the IRS to apply for an ITIN. For the differences between SSNs and ITINS, visit Taxpayer Identification Numbers.

Pending ITIN

If you’re waiting for your ITIN from the IRS, do not file your tax return yet. You must apply for your ITIN on or before October 15, 2021 to receive the GSS I and GSS II. Wait until you have your ITIN. Your tax return must include your ITIN to qualify for the stimulus payment. Most qualified recipients have until October 15, 2021 to file their tax return. Visit Extension to file for more information.

However, if you applied for but have not received an ITIN by October 15, 2021, you have until February 15, 2022 to file your return and still be eligible to receive the GSS I and GSS II.

Household or residence

The stimulus payment is issued per tax return, not by household/residence. Two individuals in the same residence could receive a stimulus payment (as long as they both qualify).

Deceased eligible individuals

Deceased individuals that use the married/RDP filing status or have children may qualify for the stimulus payment. The payment is not available for deceased individuals using a single filing status and without a qualifying child.

Incarcerated eligible individuals

Incarcerated individuals that use the married/RDP filing status or have children may qualify for the stimulus payment. The stimulus payment is not available for incarcerated individuals using a single filing status and without a qualifying child for GSS I or a dependent for GSS II.

Personal Information

Your bank account number

When you file your taxes, make sure you use your current banking information if you would like your payment through direct deposit.

Typically, you'll receive this payment using the refund option you select 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.

You moved/changed your address

We use your last address on file (typically the address on your last filed return). If you’ve moved, make sure to update your address so you receive your payment. Contact us about address changes. Note: Additional time needed to process with address changes.

Income taxes

You filed your taxes through a professional tax service (in-person and online) and requested an advanced refund

If you received or requested your refund in the manner above, you will receive a paper check by mail based on your last address on file.

Stimulus payment and taxable income

The GSS I and GSS II are not taxable for California state income taxes. You will not claim this as income on your California income tax return.

Concerns with your payment

If payment is lost or destroyed

Contact us to replace your paper check.

Received a payment in error

If you received the Golden State Stimulus payment and believe this is an error, please review the eligibility qualifications above to verify this is an erroneous payment. Once verified, follow the instructions that correspond to the payment received:

Direct deposits:

  1. Contact your financial institution and advise that you are refusing this payment.
  2. If there are issues with the payment refusal with your financial institution, contact us.

Paper checks that have not been cashed:

  1. Keep the stub attached to check. Do not endorse the check.
  2. Include a letter of explanation, including recipient taxpayer name and identification number (SSN or ITIN) and stating you received the GSS payment erroneously.
  3. Mail the original check and letter of explanation to:

    ATTN: Golden State Stimulus Fund
    Franchise Tax Board
    PO Box 3070
    Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-3070

Paper checks that have been cashed:

  1. Send a personal check or money order payable to Franchise Tax Board.
  2. State “Erroneous GSS payment” on the check/money order memo area.
  3. Include a letter of explanation, including the recipient taxpayer name and identification number (SSN or ITIN) and stating you received the GSS payment erroneously.
  4. Mail your personal check/money order and letter of explanation to:

    ATTN: Golden State Stimulus Fund
    Franchise Tax Board
    PO Box 3070
    Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-3070

Other problems with your payment

If you received payment and have a problem, follow these steps:

  1. Include a letter of explanation that describes the issue, including recipient taxpayer name and identification number (SSN or ITIN).
  2. Mail the original check and letter of explanation to:
    ATTN: Golden State Stimulus Fund
    Franchise Tax Board
    PO Box 3070
    Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-3070

Golden State Stimulus fraud

If you think your payment has been stolen or you suspect fraud, you can Report tax fraud online. Check “Golden State Stimulus” as the fraudulent activity involved.

Delayed payments

Some payments may need more review depending on the situation or information we have. This could delay some payments. This could include address changes, bank account changes, etc

Refer these resources for more information.

Collections (offsets, withholding orders, wage garnishments, levies)

Offsets

The Golden State Stimulus Payments will not be subject to offset for debts owed to the Franchise Tax Board or other government agencies.

Garnishment Orders

In general, the Golden State Stimulus payments are not subject to garnishment orders, with the exception of orders in connection with child support, spousal support, family support, or a criminal restitution payable to victims. If you believe your Golden State Stimulus payment that was deposited to your financial institution has been levied/frozen in error, please contact the phone number provided by your financial institution.

Other stimulus programs

Golden State Grant Program

CalWORKs, SSI/SSP, and CAPI participants and recipients of other benefits may qualify for the one-time $600 Golden State Grant. You can receive both this grant and the Golden State Stimulus if you qualify. Visit Golden State Grant Program (California Department of Social Services website) for more information.

Federal IRS Stimulus Payment

The Golden State Stimulus is not the same as the Federal IRS stimulus payment. It is also not an unemployment insurance benefit.

Contact us about the Golden State Stimulus

Phone
800-852-5711
916-845-6500 (outside the U.S.)
Weekdays, 8 AM to 5 PM
Chat
Sign into MyFTB to chat
Weekdays, 8 AM to 5 PM
Mail
Franchise Tax Board
PO Box 942840
Sacramento CA 94240-0040