How To Claim Your Money
Youre going to have to file a tax return.
Filing taxes can be cumbersome and time consuming in particular, for folks who have not filed taxes before, or filed taxes in a while especially for those who make below the threshold that requires them to file taxes, Ramesh said. This was true before the pandemic and is especially true during the pandemic, when in-person volunteer tax prep sites are limited.
If you rarely or never file taxes, Ramesh recommends trying getyourrefund.org or MyFreeTaxes.com. Volunteer Income Tax Assistanceand Tax Counseling for the Elderlyfor those over 60 provide in-person services.
For undocumented individuals who dont have an ITIN, youll need to apply for one before filing your taxes. The process can take up to seven weeks to complete, according to the IRS website. Feldstein said applications are backlogged for up to six months, meaning payments could take even longer.
Those without documentation may be hesitant to send their personal information to the federal government. Theres actually really strong privacy protections in place, and strong firewalls set up around the IRS for people who are filing their taxes, Feldstein said. Theres certain exceptions, but by and large, yes, people should feel safe to use their ITIN and file their taxes to claim their credits.
Feldstein said an immigration attorney or advocacy group can advise anyone who has concerns about filing taxes.
What You’re Automatically Eligible For When You File
The first step can sometimes be the hardest. But if you dont file your taxes on time, you may miss out on the money you’re entitled to, regardless of your income.
The goal of the $600 checks is to help those facing the greatest economic challenges due to COVID-19, said Yolanda López, financial capability coordinator with the Unity Council, a nonprofit organization in Oakland that offers free tax assistance.
By simply filing your taxes you will then be eligible to receive this aid through direct deposit to the account you used when filing your taxes, or will be sent as a physical check to the address provided in your filing, López added.
Not reporting your earnings may also put you at risk of missing out on everything you could receive from the third stimulus package.
The federal government calculates your eligibility based on your most recent tax filing. So if you didn’t file your 2020 taxes before the most recent stimulus was signed by President Biden on March 11, your eligibility will be calculated based on your 2019 earnings. So if you made more than $75,000 in 2019 but less than that in 2020 you may not qualify for these checks, despite seeing your income drop during the pandemic.
But if you didn’t receive a check from the first or second stimulus packages even though you may have qualified, you can claim these payments in your taxes through something called a Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS provides instructions on how to include this credit in your taxes .
California Inflation Checks: How Will I Get Paid
Inflation relief checks disbursement begins Friday
Millions of eligible Californians will start receiving inflation relief payments in the form of debit cards or direct deposits beginning Oct. 7.
LOS ANGELES – Millions of eligible Californians will begin receiving inflation relief payments of up to $1,050 to soften the blow of inflation.
Starting October 7, California taxpayers who filed a 2020 tax return by Oct. 15, 2021 will start receiving payments from the state’s Middle Class Tax Refund.
The amount each taxpayer gets is determined by income and whether they have a dependent.
SUGGESTED:
Individual taxpayers making under $250,000 and married couples that file jointly earning less than $500,000 qualify.
The California Franchise Tax Board expects to send payments through January 2023.
How you get your payment depends on a few factors, acording to the California Franchise Tax Board.
Check out the breakdown below:
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What If My Income Has Changed
A lot can change in two years. What if you make significantly less now than you did in 2020? Could you qualify for a larger payment?
No, the California Franchise Tax Board tells Nexstar. The Middle Class Tax Refund legislation requires eligibility to be based on a complete filed 2020 California state income tax return.
That means regardless of any change in income lower or higher youre locked into receiving the payment size that corresponds with your 2020 income. There is no way to appeal the Franchise Tax Board for an exception.
Will Social Security Recipients Get California Stimulus
If they meet the requirements and declare other sources of income with an adjusted gross income between $1 and up to $75,000 on their 2020 tax, Californians who receive Social Security checks are eligible for Golden State Stimulus II payments up to $1,100 .
Similarly, When Should Social Security recipients expect their stimulus?
People who match the stipulated requirements will be the first to get the payment of $1,657 USD since payments for Social Security recipients will come in the first week of March with the attractive rise that was announced at the beginning of 2022.
Also, it is asked, Are Social Security recipients getting a stimulus check?
Although legislation hasnt been proposed, the Senior Citizens League is advocating for $1,400 stimulus payments to seniors receiving Social Security.
Secondly, Will seniors on Social Security get a second stimulus check?
Additionally, recipients of Railroad Retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income , Social Security retirement, survivor, or disability benefits , Supplemental Security Income , and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries who didnt file a tax return will all automatically receive a second stimulus check.
Also, When can SSI recipients expect California stimulus check?
Beginning the week of., paper checks will be sent to SSI/SSP participants on a rolling basis.
People also ask, Will Social Security recipients get a third stimulus check?
Related Questions and Answers
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Who Will Qualify For An Inflation
The payments are similar to the stimulus checks sent by the federal government in that they are based on income, tax-filing status and household size.
Lower- and middle-income Californians stand to receive the biggest checks.
- Single taxpayers who earn less than $75,000 a year and couples who file jointly and make less than $150,000 a year will receive $350 per taxpayer.
- Taxpayers with dependents will receive an extra $350, regardless of the total number of dependents.
In other words, a couple that earns a combined $125,000 and has two children would qualify for $350 per adult plus $350 for their children, for a total of $1,050.
Who Qualifies For A Refund
To qualify to receive a payment, you must meet certain requirements.
You must have been a resident of California for six months or more in the 2020 tax year and be a current state resident.
You must have filed a 2020 tax return by Oct. 15, 2021, and have adjusted gross income within the required thresholds.
Additionally, you must not have been claimed as a dependent by someone else.
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California Adjusted Gross Income
You must have $1 to $75,000 of California AGI to qualify for GSS II. Only certain income is included in your CA AGI . If you have income that’s on this list, you may meet the CA AGI qualification. To receive GSS II and calculate your CA AGI, you need to file a complete 2020 tax return by October 15, 2021. Visit Ways to file, including free options, for more information.
Income included in CA AGI
Generally, these are included in your CA AGI:
- Wages and self-employment income
- Gains on a sale of property
Visit Income types for a list of the common types of income.
Income excluded from CA AGI
Generally, these are not included in your CA AGI:
- Social Security
- Supplemental Security Income /State Supplementary Payment and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants
- State Disability Insurance and VA disability benefits
- Unemployment income
You would generally not qualify for GSS II if these were your only sources of income. However, if you have income that is included in CA AGI in addition to this list, you may qualify for GSS II.
For information about specific situations, refer to federal Form 1040 and 1040-SR Instructions and California 2020 Instructions for Form 540. Go to Line 17 of Form 540 for CA AGI.
If you receive Social Security
You may be wondering whether or not you qualify for GSS II if you receive Social Security income. Social Security income is not included in CA AGI. However, if you have $1 or more of CA AGI , you may qualify for GSS II.
Stimulus Payments In California Worth $1050 Being Sent This Month
As inflation continues to rise, many states, including California, are sending stimulus payments to residents.
California residents are currently receiving stimulus payments worth as much as $1,050. What they get depends on their filing status, income, and dependents.
Over 23 million residents are expecting a payment this month.
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When Will The Checks Go Out
Payments will be issued between this month and January.
Direct deposits will be sent to residents who e-filed their 2020 state returns and received a refund from the state by direct deposit. About 90% of the direct deposits are expected to be issued in October, starting on Friday.
Other payments will be issued on debit cards sent in the mail starting later this month.
A total of 18 million payments will be sent. The checks are expected to benefit up to 23 million Californians.
To find out when you may receive your money, check the online payment schedule.
California Stimulus Check Amount
Golden State Stimulus I provided either $600 or $1,200 to eligible individuals depending on their tax filing status. Those who receive CalEITC, file with an ITIN and make $75,000 or less qualified for $1,200 payments. All other Golden State Stimulus I recipients got $600.
For Golden State Stimulus II, checks total $500, $600, or $1,100 for taxpayers who file with SSNs. Heres how that breaks down:
- If you qualified for the first stimulus check and claimed a dependent in 2020, youll get a $500 additional payment in this round.
- If you did not qualify for the first stimulus check and did not claim dependents in 2020, youll get $600 in this round.
- If you did not qualify for the first stimulus check and claimed dependents in 2020, youll get $1,100 in this round.
Caliornians filing with ITINs who received Golden State Stimulus I and who claimed dependents in 2020 will receive $1,000 in this round as well.
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Other Benefits For California Residents
The budget contains a handful of additional measures to try to relieve inflations impact on residents:
- $1.95 billion for emergency rental assistance for qualified low-income tenants who requested assistance before March 31
- $1.4 billion in funds to help residents cover past-due utility bills
The budget also includes a $14.8 billion, infrastructure and transportation package, as well as more than $200 million in additional funding that will go toward reproductive health care services.
Californias new budget also provides universal access to health coverage for low-income residents aged 26 to 49, regardless of immigration status, becoming the first state to do so.
Golden State Stimulus I
California will provide the Golden State Stimulus payment to families and individuals who qualify. This is a one-time $600 or $1,200 payment per tax return. You may receive this payment if you receive the California Earned Income Tax Credit or file with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number .
The Golden State Stimulus aims to:
- Support low-income Californians
- Help those facing a hardship due to COVID-19
For most Californians who qualify, you dont need to do anything to receive the stimulus payment.
The GSS I payment is a different payment than the Golden State Stimulus II .
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California Stimulus Check Summary
Heres the bottom line:
The state of California will provide the Golden Status Stimulus payment to families and people who qualify.
There is Golden State Stimulus I and Golden State Stimulus II.
The Golden State Stimulus II payments are different from the Golden State Stimulus I payments.
To receive your payment, file your 2020 tax returns by October 15, 2021.
Golden State Stimulus Check #1
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California state legislature announced a $9.6 billion spending deal in February 2021 to help those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This bill is also called the Golden Status Stimulus package.
California will provide the Golden Status Stimulus payment to families and people who qualify. This is a one-time $600 or $1,200 payment.
The Golden State Stimulus aims to:
- Support low-income Californians
- Help those facing hardship due to COVID-19
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Keeping Track Of The California Earned Income Tax Credit
For the first time ever, undocumented workers will also be eligible for the California Earned Income Tax Credit this year. This rebate for Californians who earn up to $30,000 can provide as much as $3,027 depending on the number of children you have.
This will also be included in your state taxes. Qualifying for the EITC means you qualify for the Golden State Stimulus, López said. Households that get the state EITC will also be eligible for that one-time $600 pandemic stimulus payment.
But to be eligible, make sure you include the California Earned Income Tax Credit FTB 3514 form in your filing, or make sure to ask your tax preparer. Learn more about organizations offering free tax assistance in the Bay Area here.
In the case of families with mixed status, where the head of household is undocumented and the spouse or children have a legal immigration status, that is not an obstacle any more to receive the California EITC. If the taxpayer has a valid ITIN number and makes under $30,000, they should qualify, López pointed out.
While ITIN holders qualify for the California EITC, they still are ineligible for the federal earned income tax credit.
López also highlighted how important it is to distinguish between government aid like stimulus checks and rebates and taxable benefits like unemployment.
Who Is Getting The Stimulus Payment
According to Marca, the Middle Class Tax Refund is going to low income residents. Most people receiving the highest amounts make below $75,000.
The income cap is $500,000 for joint filers.
All payments will be sent by January of 2023 by direct deposit and debit card. Debit cards will be sent out by mail and will happen after direct deposits are made.
The stimulus payments being sent between Oct. 7 and Oct. 23 will be direct deposit. The payments being sent between Oct. 25 and Dec. 10 are debit cards.
Also Check: Irs Forms For Stimulus Checks
Organizations Offering Free Tax Assistance In The Bay Area
Alameda County
- In Oakland, the Unity Council offers in-person appointments for tax and ITIN assistance in English, Mandarin and Spanish. Appointments available on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To set up a time, call 535-6101
- Also in Oakland, the Acts Full Gospel Church offers tax assistance through drop-off services at its 1034 66th Ave. location on some Saturdays. No appointment required. For more information, call 567-1300
- In Hayward, the Community Child Care Coordinating Council has partnered with VITA to provide virtual tax assistance through its website. For more information, call 690-2141
- For a full list of tax assistance centers, visit United Way Bay Areas website or call 211
Contra Costa County
- In San Pablo, Lao Family Community Development offers tax assistance through drop-off services at 1865 Rumrill Blvd. on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment required. For more information, call 215 1220. Help available in English and Spanish
- In Bay Point, the Bay Point Works Community Career Center offers drop-off tax assistance at 3105 Willows Pass Rd. on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment required but due to high demand, call 252-2331 when you have arrived at the office. Help available in English, Tongan and Spanish
- For a full list of tax assistance centers, visit United Way Bay Areas website or call 211
Napa County
San Francisco
San Mateo County
Santa Clara County
Solano County
Sonoma County
$600 For Ssi/ssp Recipients Is Approved In New Golden State Stimulus Package
Last week Governor Newsom and the Legislature announced an agreement on the proposed Golden State Stimulus, which will provide one-time stimulus payments of $600 to low-income Californians. As announced in the deal, eligible recipients of the $600 include:
- Californians who are recipients of SSI/SSP
- Californians who are recipients of the Cash Assistance Program for Aged, Blind and Disabled Legal Immigrants Program
- Californians who are recipients of the CalWORKS program
- California households receiving the California EITC for 2020
- California taxpayers with Individual Tax Identification Numbers who were precluded from receiving the $1,200 per person federal payments issues last spring and the more recent $600 federal payments.
According to the Governors office, combined, the agreement that calls for the $600 one-time payments and grants would go to a total of 5.7 million eligible low-income Californians. The $600 payments and grants to Californians would be in addition to whatever payments may be coming from the Biden federal COVID-19 Relief bill that is pending in the US Congress and is in addition to the $600 payments in the previous federal COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress and signed into law in December.
The bill, AB 88, also specifies that the stimulus payments shall not be taken into account as income for the purposes of determining the eligibility for benefits of assistance.
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