California has joined fellow states and cities such as Florida, New Orleans, Maine, and Maryland (among others) in providing a financial boost to qualifying residents. Show
Up to 800,000 Californian residents who meet the requirements will receive as much as $1,100 as part of the Golden State Stimulus Check scheme. A first round of payments were also delivered earlier in 2021 in order to provide relief to taxpayers who have been affected by the pandemic. While these checks are designated exclusively for California residents, many nonresidents in the state have received the payments in error. In this guide, we will take a closer look at the Golden State Stimulus Checks and outline the important steps a nonresident should take if they receive this pandemic payment. What are the Golden State checks?The checks were introduced as part of an initiative to help low and middle-income people in California, particularly those most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The ‘Golden Gate Stimulus II’ follows on from the ‘Golden Gate Stimulus I’, which began to roll out in January 2021. Over 800,000 people can expect to receive this payment by 17 December, most in the form of paper checks. These payments range from $600-$1,100, and so far 3.5 million checks and 3.8 million direct deposits have been sent to qualifying individuals. Who is entitled to receive this money?There are a number of factors that enable you to qualify for the second Golden Gate Stimulus. The second check has broader coverage than the first, some who did not qualify for the first can qualify for the second. To qualify for this payment, you must have:
*A dependent is a qualifying child or qualifying relative. Go to FTB Publication 1540 for more information about a qualifying child and qualifying relative. There are a number of scenarios that will affect how much you will receive in this payment. These include: Scenario 1 You qualified for Golden State Stimulus 1 (GSS1) Claimed a credit for 1 or more dependents Stimulus amount Golden State Stimulus 2 (GSSII) = $500 Scenario 2 You did not qualify for GSS I Did not claim a credit for 1 or more dependents Stimulus amount GSSII = $600 Scenario 3 You did not qualify for GSS I Claimed a credit for 1 or more dependents Stimulus amount GSSII = $1,100 Scenario 4 You qualified for GSS I Did not claim a credit for 1 or more dependents Stimulus amount GSSII = You do not qualify for GSS II If you feel that you received it by accident, you should know what to do. I’m a nonresident and I received the Golden State Stimulus Payment. What should I do?If you received the Golden State Stimulus payment, but you think you received it in error, it is important that you take your time to review the eligibility qualifications that we have outlined to ensure that it is in error. If you do, however, find that the payment shouldn’t have been made to you, there are a number of things you can do, depending on your situation: Direct deposits made to you:In this situation, you should contact the bank you are with and advise that you are rejecting the payment. Paper checks you have received but you have not cashed:
Paper version checks that have not yet been cashed:
How to file an amended tax returnIt is a common occurrence that nonresidents accidentally file as residents when they are completing their tax return. It’s always a good idea to double-check whether you filed correctly on your previous return. After all, filing incorrectly can lead to complications why applying for a US Visa or Green Card in the future. The Substantial Presence Test, which determines your tax residency, is easy to do and you can do it for free using Sprintax Returns. If you discover that you did in fact make an error on your tax return, you will need to amend it as soon as possible and file form 1040X. It’s easy to amend your tax return online using Sprintax Returns. Who can help me with my US taxes?Sprintax Returns! US tax can be especially confusing for nonresidents who are used to dealing with taxes in their home country. That’s why our team is happy to help any time. We can assist you in preparing both Federal and State tax returns and help you claim your maximum legal US tax refund! You’ll be asked a few straight-forward questions and based on the information you provide, you will then be able to download your fully completed and compliant 1040NR (nonresident tax return). As well as this, our Live Chat team can assist in any of your tax-related queries 24/7! Sprintax can make things much easier for you. Check out my blog posts and feel free to ask me any questions. Who qualifies for the California stimulus check 2022?$350: Individuals who earn less than $75,000 per year. $700: Couples who file jointly and earn less than $150,000 per year. $350: Additional payout for the above families who have at least one dependent.
Why am I not eligible for the Golden State stimulus check?It is possible that some eligible California residents have not received their Golden State Stimulus checks because they did not file their taxes by the deadline. For some individuals, a delayed payment might be due to a pending Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Is the Golden State stimulus for everyone?California provides the Golden State Stimulus to families and individuals who qualify.
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