Can I receive a second Golden State Stimulus in California if I got the first payment?

The California Legislature approved a second round of Golden State Stimulus checks after the state ended up with a record budget surplus. The new round of economic aid to Californians raised the eligibility ceiling based on income from $30,000 to $75,000 giving around two thirds of the state’s residents access to the tax rebate scheme.

Some lucky residents who received a payment in the first round will get an additional payment in the latest round. Those with dependents and those who file taxes with an ITIN and didn’t qualify for the federal Economic Impact Payments.

Also see:

California sends additional stimulus to families left out of federal stimulus program

The IRS sent out three rounds of stimulus payments to Americans to help them stay afloat during the covid-19 induced economic crisis. To be eligible for the full amount of these payments, taxpayers had to have a Social Security Number and an annual income of less than $75,000. Above that amount the payments phased out until a filer didn’t qualify for any stimulus money.

Taxpayers who report their taxes using an ITIN, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number were not eligible for the federal stimulus check program. Certain nonresident and resident aliens who can’t get a Social Security Number but live or work in the US may be able to get an ITIN for tax purposes.

The first round of Golden State Stimulus included payments of either $600 or $1,200 to eligible California residents who file with an ITIN. In the second round those same taxpayers will receive a another $1,000 if they claimed a dependent on their 2020 tax return. Those that didn’t claim a dependent are not eligible for any new payment in the second Golden State Stimulus.

Families with dependents get an extra $500

Some Californians who filed their 2020 tax return using a Social Security Number and qualified for the initial round of Golden State Stimulus can expect an additional payment in the second round. Families that have one or more dependents will get another $500 in the latest round of stimulus payments.

The Golden State Stimulus II raises the eligibility ceiling so that residents who use a Social Security Number to report taxes and have an income between $30,000 and $75,000 will get a $600 payment. Those with dependents will get an additional $500 for a total of $1,100 from the Franchise Tax Board.

When will the payments arrive?

The California tax agency began sending the first payments 27 August but some residents will have to wait to receive their payment. The state tax agency told ABC10 most stimulus payments that are sent via direct deposit “will be issued between September 1, 2021 and October 15, 2021.” Taxpayers that don’t have direct deposit set up with the state will receive a paper check which will be sent out based on the last three digits of a filer’s ZIP code on the tax return.

Physical Check Mailing Timeline

Source: California Tax Franchise Board, 2021

The California Franchise Tax Board will send payments based on a filer's 2020 tax return. In order to receive a check, a tax return must be filed, regardless if a person is required or not to submit one. To receive a check, the state tax authority must receive a return by 15 October 2021.

Californians who haven’t filed a tax return yet can expect extra wait times before they will receive their payment. The Franchise Tax Board says those who filed after August 20, 2021 and receive their tax refund via direct deposit, should allow up to 45 days for 2020 tax returns to be processed. Tax returns that are processed after the scheduled ZIP code payment will have to wait at least 60 days to receive their Golden State Stimulus check. In both cases some returns may take longer to process delaying payment further.