What to do if you don't receive the final round of the California stimulus check
The California Franchise Tax Board (CFTB) has nearly finished distribution of the Golden State stimulus check, but what if you have not received your payment?
The most recent round of stimulus checks from the federal government came in early 2021 after Congress passed the American Rescue Plan in March of last year. But while Washington was unable to provide another round, some states opted to issue their own direct payments.
In California the Golden State stimulus checks provided a one-off payment worth up to $1,100 for eligible residents. There were some conditions on receiving the money, but fortunately it is not too late to claim your payment.
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Make sure to file a tax return to trigger the payment
The most recent round of Golden State stimulus checks was included in the California Comeback Plan, which was passed in July. The payments were to be distributed in several waves, from late August up to 11 January.
The California Franchise Tax Board (CFTB) have said that the paper check payments may take up to three weeks to arrive, so that may explain why some have not yet received their money.
However it is also possible that some eligible individuals have not yet had their Golden State stimulus check because they have not filed a tax return. Usually not everyone is required to file taxes, but to trigger a payment of the stimulus checks a tax return must be submitted so the CFTB is able to adjudge eligibility.
The deadline to have filed was 15 October 2021, but some groups may be able to take advantage of an extension. If you applied for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) by 15 October and did not receive your ITIN before that deadline then you have until 15 February 2022 to file you tax returns and be considered for either of the Golden State stimulus check payments.
What to do if you have still not received a Golden State stimulus check
For most people the deadline to claim the California stimulus check has now passed, but if you believe you have missed out on a payment through no fault of your own you can contact the CTFB in relation to a missing stimulus check.
Phone
800-852-5711
916-845-6500 (calls from outside the US)
Available 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
Live Chat
Use the MyFTB live chat service
Available 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
Franchise Tax Board
PO Box 942840
Sacramento CA 94240-0040