While Americans await the likelihood of a fourth stimulus check, many California residents will get the Golden State Stimulus, a state-specific relief payout. The Golden State Stimulus is funded by an additional $10.3 billion in revenue generated by the state's progressive income tax.
But, it's unclear who gets what because Golden State Stimulus II payouts are based on the number of dependents you claim and whether you were eligible for the first round (Golden State Stimulus I).
Who's Eligible for the Golden State Payment?
- To get the Golden State Stimulus I:
- By Oct. 15, 2020, you must have filed your 2020 taxes.
- You will not be able to list yourself as a dependent on someone else's tax return.
- When the stimulus check is issued, you must be a California resident.
- Have spent more than half of the tax year 2020 in California
- You must either be a CalEITC recipient or earn less than $75,000 per year and file with an ITIN.
You may be eligible for the CalEITC, or earn an income tax credit, if you are at least 18 years old or have a qualifying child. In 2020, you must have earned at least $30,000 in taxable income, and you did not file as "married" or "registered domestic partner filing separately."
Golden State Stimulus II broadens eligibility and covers people who did not receive funds the first time around.
To receive funds under the plan's second phase, you must:
- Have lived in California for more than half of the 2020 tax year
- Be a California resident at the time the stimulus check is distributed.
- Have an adjusted gross income (AGI) in California ranging from $1 to $75,000
- Have a salary of $75,000 or less
- You will not be able to claim yourself as a dependent on someone else's taxes.
- Taxes for 2020 must be filed by October 15th.
If you do not qualify for the second stimulus, you may still qualify for the first.
Fourth Stimulus Check Calculator: How Much Will I Get?
Golden State Stimulus II offers four different amounts: $500, $600, $1,000, and $1,100.
Those who qualified for the first stimulus and claimed a dependent on their 2020 taxes, as well as eligible families of those without proper legal documentation, are eligible for the $500.
If you did not qualify for the first stimulus and did not list a dependant on your 2020 taxes, you may be eligible for $600. If you did not qualify for the initial stimulus and claimed more than one dependent on your 2020 taxes, you may be eligible for the $1,100.
The $1,000 is only available to ITIN filers who qualified for the first stimulus and claimed a dependent on their 2020 tax returns. Those who file with a Social Security number are entitled for additional cash.
Depending on how you requested your refund on your 2020 tax returns, payments will be sent either mailed check or direct deposit.
