$600 Golden State Stimulus in California: what's the deadline to file taxes and claim it?
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced details of California's state-wide covid-19 relief bill in February; here's when you should expect to receive a direct payment.
The California Franchise Tax Board (CFTB) is currently in the process of distributing a round of state-wide stimulus checks to low-income residents as part of the Golden State Stimulus bill.
The $7.6 billion relief package was signed into law in February and includes $600 direct payments to those who qualify for the CalEITC or the CalWORKs programme, amongst other state benefits.
Anthony Rendon, Speaker of the California Assembly, said that the Golden State Stimulus checks would address “the human and the economic impacts of covid in a way that echoes President Biden’s American Rescue Plan and will help those who are hurting most.”
Earlier this month California Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed that the first wave of stimulus check payments would be sent out from the middle of April onwards and many are reporting that theirs have already arrived. For the majority of recipients eligibility will depend on 2020 tax returns, provided the filing is made before a deadline.
When is the Golden State Stimulus check deadline?
You will need to file your 2020 tax returns by 15 October, 2021 to be included in the Golden State Stimulus check distribution process. If you are eligible to receive the payment your money will arrive in the form of whichever refund option you selected on your tax return.
You have a few more months to get your returns filed but if you want the money quickly you should get done now. The CFTB advise that payments will be made in three batches, depending on when your tax returns are filed.
If your tax return was filed between 1 January and 1 March 2021, your stimulus check payment will arrive sometime after April 15, 2021.
- For direct deposits: Allow up to 2 weeks
- For paper checks: Allow up to 4 to 6 weeks for mailing
If your tax return was filed between 2 March and 23 April 2021, your stimulus check payment will arrive sometime after 1 May, 2021.
- For direct deposits: Allow up to 2 weeks
- For paper checks: Allow up to 4 to 6 weeks for mailing
If your tax return was filed after 23 April 2021, your stimulus check payment will arrive…
- For direct deposits: Up to 45 days after your return has been processed
- For paper checks: Up to 60 days after your return has processed
What to do if your Golden State Stimulus check does not arrive
If you filed your tax returns in the first group but are still yet to receive your payment you may need to claim for a missing payment from the CFTB. The first direct deposit recipients should be receiving their payment at the end of April while those waiting for a paper check will have to wait up to four weeks longer.
If your payment has not arrived in line the schedule guideline you may have to report a lost or missing stimulus check using the CFTB’s online Fraud Referral Report. The website includes details for mail and phone options, as well as an online chat feature in operation between 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday.