Middle Class Tax Refund

We are not authorized to reissue payments for the MCTR program after May 31, 2024.

Overview

The Middle Class Tax Refund (MCTR) was a one-time payment issued to eligible recipients between October 2022 and January 2023, to provide relief to Californians.

Reminder to activate your debit card

If you received a Middle Class Tax Refund (MCTR) debit card and did not activate it, you were mailed an activation reminder letter that includes instructions on activating your debit card. For assistance with activation, replacement, lost, or stolen MCTR card, call 1-800-240-0223.

For questions or to activate your card, see below for contact information.

  1. Receiving and using your debit card

    Some taxpayers received their payment on a debit card. Refer to the How payments were issued section for information on how debit cards were distributed.

    FTB has partnered with Money Network to provide payments distributed by debit card. Visit the Money Network FAQ page for details on making purchases, withdrawals, and transfers with your debit card payment.

    Note the return address of the envelope is Omaha, NE.

    MCTR mailer envelope, debit card, and Money Network logo.

    Debit card recipients that have not activated their payment card were mailed a reminder letter that includes instructions on activating their debit card.

    MCTR sample debit card reminder letter for debit card recipients.

  2. Determine your eligibility

    You were eligible if you:

    [i] To receive your payment, you must have filed a complete 2020 tax return by October 15, 2021. However, if you applied for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) but did not receive it by October 15, 2021, you must have filed your complete 2020 tax return on or before February 15, 2022. ↵Return to place in article

  3. How payments were issued

    Californians received their MCTR payment by direct deposit or debit card.

    Generally, direct deposit payments were made to eligible taxpayers who e-filed their 2020 CA tax return and received their CA tax refund by direct deposit. MCTR debit card payments were mailed to the remaining eligible taxpayers.

    You should have received your payment by mail in the form of a debit card if you:

    • Filed a paper return
    • Had a balance due
    • Received your Golden State Stimulus (GSS) payment by check
    • Received your tax refund by check regardless of filing method
    • Received your 2020 tax refund by direct deposit, but have since changed your banking institution or bank account number
    • Received an advance payment from your tax service provider, or paid your tax preparer fees using your tax refund

  4. When payments were issued

    Direct deposit payments
    Recipients Payment issue date
    GSS I or II direct deposit recipients 10/07/2022 through 10/25/2022
    Non-GSS recipients 10/28/2022 through 11/14/2022
    Debit card payments
    Recipients Debit card mailing timeframe
    GSS I or II check recipients (last name beginning with A – E) 10/24/2022 through 11/05/2022
    GSS I or II check recipients (last name beginning with F – M) 11/06/2022 through 11/19/2022
    GSS I or II check recipients (last name beginning with N – V) 11/20/2022 through 12/03/2022
    GSS I or II check recipients (last name beginning with W – Z) 12/04/2022 through 12/10/2022
    Non-GSS recipients (last name beginning with A – K) 12/05/2022 through 12/17/2022
    Non-GSS recipients (last name beginning with L – Z) 12/19/2022 through 12/31/2022
    Direct deposit recipients who have changed their banking information since filing their 2020 tax return 12/17/2022 through 01/14/2023
    Debit card recipients whose address has changed since filing their 2020 tax return 01/30/2023 through 02/14/2023

  5. What you may have received

    Refer to the tables below to determine your payment amount.

    For your CA AGI, go to:

    • Line 17 on your 2020 Form 540
    • Line 16 on your 2020 Form 540 2EZ
    Married/RDP filing jointly
    CA AGI reported on your 2020 tax return Payment with dependent Payment without dependent
    $150,000 or less $1,050 $700
    $150,001 to $250,000 $750 $500
    $250,001 to $500,000 $600 $400
    $500,001 or more Not qualified Not qualified
    Head of household or qualifying widow(er)
    CA AGI reported on your 2020 tax return Payment with dependent Payment without dependent
    $150,000 or less $700 $350
    $150,001 to $250,000 $500 $250
    $250,001 to $500,000 $400 $200
    $500,001 or more Not qualified Not qualified
    Single or married/RDP filing separately
    CA AGI reported on your 2020 tax return Payment with dependent Payment without dependent
    $75,000 or less $700 $350
    $75,001 to $125,000 $500 $250
    $125,001 to $250,000 $400 $200
    $250,001 or more Not qualified Not qualified

Contact information

Customer support is available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, Vietnamese, Korean, and Punjabi. Other languages may be supported by request.

Chat
Available at MCTRPayment.com
Weekdays, 8AM to 5PM
Automated customer support
800-542-9332
Weekdays, 8AM to 5PM
Debit card questions
Assistance with activation, replacement, lost, or stolen card
800-240-0223
Card activation available 24/7
Customer support available weekdays, 8AM to 5PM
Online
mctrpayment.com
Last updated: 09/24/2025