California enacted a coronavirus relief package providing much-needed relief to the state’s small businesses and stimulus payments to  residents with low income. The law gave eligible California residents a $600 or a $1,200 one-time payment.  To learn more about the Golden State Stimulus visit Golden State Stimulus  FTB.

• What is Golden State Stimulus?

The stimulus was a one-time $600 or $1,200 payment per tax return. Those who received the payment may have received the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) or file with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The Golden State Stimulus aim was to support Californians with a low income. 

• Who qualifies for the Golden State stimulus check?

Anyone who made less than $75,000 a year was eligible for $600 checks. Taxpayers without children received $600 while those with children qualified for $1,100. 

• Do I need to do anything to receive the stimulus payment?

No.  If you filed your 2020 tax return and received a CalEITC refund, you should automatically receive the payment via direct deposit or check.     

• How much will I receive?

There have been two stimulus payments.

Golden State Stimulus I

1) $600 payment to taxpayers with a Social Security Number who qualified for CalEITC (making $30,000 or less);

2) $600 payment to qualified ITIN filers making $75,000 or less;

3) $1,200 payment to qualified ITIN filers who also qualified for CalEITC.

• When will I receive the Golden State Stimulus I payment?

Golden State Stimulus I payments were issued to those who filed their 2020 tax returns between March -April of 2021.

• I never received the Golden State Stimulus payment. What should I do?

Contact the Franchise Tax Board for more information via

Phone: 800-852-5711 or 916-845-6500 (outside the U.S.)
Weekdays, 8 AM to 5 PM

Chat: Sign into MyFTB to chat
Weekdays, 8 AM to 5 PM

Golden State Stimulus II:

1) $600 payment to taxpayers with a Social Security Number making $75,000 or less who did not receive a first payment;

2) $1,000 payment to qualified ITIN filers making $75,000 or less and have one or more dependents.

3) Additional payment for families with dependents: Qualified families who file with a Social Security Number with one or more dependents are eligible for an additional $500.

• When will the Stimulus II payments be issued?

The Franchise Tax Board issued payments starting September 2021 

• Who qualifies for Stimulus Payment II?

If you qualified, you only need to file a complete 2020 tax return to receive the Golden State Stimulus II payment. To qualify, you must:

• Filed your 2020 taxes by October 15, 2021
• Have a California Adjusted Gross Income (CA AGI) of $1 to $75,000 for the 2020 tax year. For this information refer to:
  • Line 17 on Form 540
  • Line 16 on Form 540 2EZ
• Had wages of $0 to $75,000 for the 2020 tax year
• Was a California resident for more than half of the 2020 tax year
• Was a California resident on the date payment is issued
• Not be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer
  • A dependent is a qualifying child or qualifying relative. Go to FTB Publication 1540 for more information about a qualifying child and qualifying relative

• Who is not eligible to receive Stimulus II payments?

You will not receive the Stimulus II payment if your income was solely from Social Security, Unemployment, Veterans, Disability or CalFresh or CalWorks. You must have earned income that combined with these payments takes you over the tax threshold by $1 dollar to qualify for the payment.

• Need more information?

Visit Help with Golden State Stimulus for more information.