California Stimulus Check Calculator (US)
Calculate your Golden State Stimulus II payment estimate. Enter CA AGI, SSN/ITIN, GSS I status, and dependents for $500-$1,100 California stimulus eligibility.
About This Calculator
The California Golden State Stimulus II (GSS II) was a one-time stimulus payment program announced by Governor Gavin Newsom on August 27, 2021. This calculator helps you estimate your GSS II payment amount based on your California Adjusted Gross Income (CA AGI), taxpayer identification type (SSN or ITIN), whether you qualified for the first Golden State Stimulus (GSS I), and whether you claimed dependents on your tax return. About 11 million Californians were estimated to receive payments under this $4.6 billion program.
The payment calculation follows a matrix based on your circumstances. SSN holders who did not qualify for GSS I and claimed dependents receive the maximum of $1,100. SSN holders who qualified for GSS I and claimed dependents receive $500. SSN holders who did not qualify for GSS I with no dependents receive $600. SSN holders who qualified for GSS I but did not claim dependents are not eligible for GSS II. ITIN holders who qualified for GSS I and claimed dependents receive $1,000. All other ITIN holders do not qualify for GSS II. Payments phase out completely for CA AGI outside the $1 to $75,000 eligibility range.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for the Golden State Stimulus II, you must have filed your 2020 tax return by October 15, 2021, have a CA AGI between $1 and $75,000 for the 2020 tax year, have wages between $0 and $75,000 for that year, be a California resident on the date the payment is issued, and cannot be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer. No separate application was needed — eligibility was determined automatically by the California Franchise Tax Board based on your tax return.
Payment and distribution
Payments began going out on August 27, 2021, with most recipients receiving their payment within the following weeks. If the FTB had your direct deposit information from your tax return, the payment was deposited directly into your bank account. Otherwise, you received a prepaid debit card in the mail. The payments were not taxable income and did not affect eligibility for other California benefit programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the California Golden State Stimulus II?
The Golden State Stimulus II (GSS II) is a one-time stimulus payment program from the State of California, announced by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021. It provides payments ranging from $500 to $1,100 to eligible California residents based on their CA AGI, whether they have an SSN or ITIN, whether they qualified for GSS I, and whether they claimed dependents.
Who qualifies for the Golden State Stimulus II?
To qualify for GSS II you must have filed your 2020 taxes by October 15, 2021, have a CA AGI between $1 and $75,000, have wages between $0 and $75,000, be a California resident on the payment issue date, and not be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer.
How much can I receive from the Golden State Stimulus II?
The amount depends on four factors: your CA AGI, whether you have an SSN or ITIN, whether you qualified for GSS I, and whether you claimed dependents. SSN holders who did not qualify for GSS I and claimed dependents receive the maximum of $1,100. Other scenarios pay $500 (SSN + GSS I + dependents), $600 (SSN + no GSS I + no dependents), or $1,000 (ITIN + GSS I + dependents).
What is the difference between GSS I and GSS II?
Golden State Stimulus I was the first round of California stimulus payments and primarily targeted lower-income households and ITIN filers. Golden State Stimulus II expanded eligibility to more Californians, including those with SSNs who did not receive GSS I. The GSS II program allocated approximately $4.6 billion to reach about 11 million eligible Californians.
If I qualified for GSS I, am I still eligible for GSS II?
It depends. If you qualified for GSS I and have an SSN, you must have claimed at least one dependent to receive GSS II ($500). If you qualified for GSS I with an SSN and did not claim dependents, you are not eligible for GSS II. ITIN holders who qualified for GSS I and claimed dependents can receive $1,000 under GSS II.
Do I need to apply for the Golden State Stimulus II?
No separate application is needed. You only need to file your 2020 tax return by October 15, 2021. The California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) automatically determines eligibility and issues payments based on your tax return information. Payments were distributed via direct deposit or debit card starting in September 2021.
Is the Golden State Stimulus II taxable income?
No, Golden State Stimulus II payments are not considered taxable income for California state tax purposes. The payments are a tax credit or refund and are excluded from gross income. They also do not affect eligibility for other California state benefit programs.
What if my CA AGI is above $75,000?
If your California Adjusted Gross Income exceeds $75,000, you do not qualify for the Golden State Stimulus II. The program is designed to provide financial relief to moderate and low-income Californians who were financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. You may still qualify for other federal or state tax credits and relief programs.