Since last year of October, California has been releasing Middle-Class Tax Refunds. The one-time payments help in reducing the impact of inflation. As of January 13, the Franchise Tax Board has released more than 16 million. However, it appears that you might have to wait a little more than initially thought if you haven’t already received your California inflation relief checks.
California Franchise Tax Board has set up new deadlines for the people who are yet to receive Middle-Class Tax Refunds. The funds for inflation relief, which were promised last summer and began to be distributed in October, will keep coming until the end of February.
Who Qualifies for California Inflation Relief Checks?
To get the benefits of California inflation relief checks, eligible Californians must meet the following criteria:
- Individual must reside in California as of the payment’s issuance date and has done so for at least six months of the 2020 tax year.
- By October 15, 2021, they must have filed their 2020 tax return.
- No claim of dependant on their Adjusted Gross Income.
- Making an adjusted gross income of $500,000 or less.
How to Get California Inflation Relief Checks?
Depending on how your 2020 income tax return was submitted, there are two payment methods. Californians will get their MCTR via debit card or direct deposit.
In general, taxpayers who e-filed their tax return will receive their CA tax refund by direct deposit. The remaining qualified taxpayers will get MCTR debit card payments by mail. Conditions of receiving a debit card are:
- Submitted a paper return.
- Had an outstanding balance.
- Obtained your Golden State Stimulus (GSS) reimbursement by check.
- Your tax service provider has given you early tax payment.
- Received your 2020 tax refund by direct deposit; but have since shifted your banking institution or bank account number.
- Earned your rebate check regardless of how you filed.
How Much Will You Receive in California Inflation Checks?
The amount of the payment would depend on your salary and the size of your family, although it may fluctuate. For the latest recent information, please check the State of California website.
Individual Filer
- Earning under $75k: Individuals will get $350 in California inflation check.
- If you earn between $75,001 and $125,000: You will get $250.
- Making between $125,001 to $250,000: They will receive a $200 payment.
Thus, individuals who earn more than $250,000 will not receive the ca inflation relief checks.
Jointly Filing
- Up to $150,000 in earnings: The couple will receive $700 in payment.
- If they are earning together between $150,001 and $250,001: They will receive a payment of $500 under the state of California inflation relief checks.
- If they earn between $250,001 and $500,000: They will get $400.
Hence, those who make over $500,000 and file jointly for taxes are not eligible for a payout.
But California state allows an additional sum of money to residents who pay their taxes jointly or individually and have dependents.
Single Taxpayers With Children
- Earnings under $75,000: They will get an extra amount of $350.
- Income between $75,001 and $125,000: They will get $250 more.
- Earnings of $125,001 to $250,000: They will receive an extra $200.
Filing Jointly and Having Dependents
- Earning up to $150,000: They will receive an extra $350 in California inflation relief checks.
- Income from $150,001 to $250,000: They will be eligible to get an additional $250.
- Earnings of $250,001 to $500,000: They will be receiving an extra $200.
Head of Household
- Earnings less than $150,000: The head of household will receive $350 in relief checks.
- Making between $150,001 and 250,000: Will receive an amount of $250.
- Earning between 250,001 and $500,000: There will be a payment of $200.
Head of Household With Dependants
- Earnings less than $150,000: The head of household will receive $700 in relief checks.
- Making between $150,001 and 250,000: Will receive an amount of $500.
- Earning between 250,001 and $500,000: There will be a payment of $400.
When Will You Receive CA Inflation Relief Check?
Due to rising gas prices and the cost of living, California state planned for relief checks. The state Legislature and governor agreed to provide rewards ranging from $200 to $1,050 to Californians. According to the Franchise Tax Board, as of January 13th, more than 31 million California taxpayers and their dependents have received the payment. More than 7 million direct deposit payments and 9.4 million debit cards totaling more than $9 billion have been issued by the state.
A tentative payment schedule for different recipient categories is shown below.
Direct Deposit
| Beneficiary Status | Expected Time |
| GSS I or II direct deposit recipients | Oct. 7 to Oct. 25, 2022. |
| Non-GSS recipients who met direct deposit requirements | Oct. 28 to Nov. 14, 2022. |
Debit Card
| Beneficiary Status | Expected Time |
| GSS I or II check recipients whose last name begins with A-E | Oct. 24 to Nov. 5, 2022. |
| GSS I or II check recipients whose last name begins with F-M | Nov. 6 to Nov. 19, 2022. |
| GSS I or II check recipients whose last name begins with N-V | Nov. 20 to Dec. 3, 2022. |
| GSS I or II check recipients whose last name begins with W-Z | Dec. 4 to Dec. 10, 2022. |
| Non-GSS recipients whose last name begins with A-L | Dec. 5 to Dec. 17, 2022. |
| Non-GSS recipients whose last name begins with M-Z | Dec. 19 to Dec. 31, 2022. |
| Individuals who changed banking information since filing their 2020 state tax return | Dec. 17, 2022, to Jan. 14, 2023 |
| Individuals who changed address information since filing their 2020 state tax return | Jan. 30 to Feb. 14, 2023 |
What to Do in Case of Refund Delay?
If there is a delay in your California inflation relief check you can take the following steps.
Call the FTB customer service line at 800-542-9332. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additionally, mctrpayment.com has an online chat feature.
For a delay in tax refunds, you can also call Money Network at 800-240-0223 and press 3 for “card replacement” if you feel a debit card has been lost or stolen. According to the Franchise Tax Board, the cards expire in April 2026.
What to Do if You Have Not Filed 2020 Tax Return?
Most people who did not submit a tax return in 2020 are not eligible to receive the payout.
But the state is also providing these programs with more funding:
Recipients of State Supplemental Payments (SSP) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Seniors who are 65 years or older, or who are blind or disabled, are eligible for the SSI/SSP program. The new budget plan will increase SSP grants by a maximum of $39 per month for singles ($470 for the year) and $100 per month for couples ($1,200 annually).
California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids: CalWORKs is a program that offers money and assistance to qualified families who have one or more children living in the house.
Frequently Asked Questions
The majority of Californians who failed to submit a full 2020 tax return by October 15, 2021, are not entitled to the ca inflation relief check. However, those who applied for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or ITIN, but did not obtain one by October 15, 2021, are the exception.
Californians will receive relief checks either by direct deposit or debit card.
Generally, eligible taxpayers who electronically submitted their 2020 CA tax return will get their CA tax refund by direct deposit. On the other hand, taxpayers with paper filings will get tangible MCTR debit card payments by mail.
Yes, you will receive a MCTR debit card even after relocating. The only condition is that you have filed the 2020 tax return. The eligible taxpayer will receive the debit card between January 30, 2023, to February 14, 2023. The FTB would utilize the taxpayer’s new address for purposes of making their MCTR payment.
Currently, there is no way to determine when the California Franchise Tax Board’s inflation check will arrive in your mailbox. However, the CFTB has given deadlines on its website and is releasing the checks accordingly.
I am Billie wilson, a financial analyst who loves to share knowledge. I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed and so I guide people in their journey to financial growth
