Everything a nonresident needs to know about the Californian ‘Golden State’ Stimulus Checks
by
J1 SummerTaxBack
December 17, 2021
⏱️ 4 minute read
🌴 Everything a nonresident needs to know about the Californian ‘Golden State’ Stimulus Checks
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.
💸 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 December 17, 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 before can qualify now.
To qualify for this payment, you must have:
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🗓️ Filed your 2020 taxes by October 15, 2021
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💵 Had a California Adjusted Gross Income (CA AGI) of $1 to $75,000 for 2020
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Line 17 on Form 540
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Line 16 on Form 540 2EZ
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💰 Had wages between $0 and $75,000 in 2020
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🏡 Been a California resident for more than half of the 2020 tax year
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📅 Been a California resident on the date payment is issued
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🚫 Not been claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer
A dependent is a qualifying child or qualifying relative. (See FTB Publication 1540 for details.)
📊 How much will you receive?
There are a number of scenarios that determine the payment amount 👇
Scenario 1
✔️ You qualified for Golden State Stimulus 1 (GSS1)
👨👩👧 Claimed a credit for 1 or more dependents
💰 Stimulus amount GSSII = $500
Scenario 2
❌ You did not qualify for GSS I
🚫 Did not claim dependents
💰 Stimulus amount GSSII = $600
Scenario 3
❌ You did not qualify for GSS I
👨👩👧 Claimed dependents
💰 Stimulus amount GSSII = $1,100
Scenario 4
✔️ You qualified for GSS I
🚫 No dependents claimed
💰 Stimulus amount GSSII = Not eligible
😕 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 think you got it in error, it’s important to review the eligibility qualifications first.
If you confirm that the payment shouldn’t have been made to you, here’s what to do:
🏦 Direct deposits:
Contact your bank and reject the payment.
✉️ Paper checks (not cashed):
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Keep the payment stub attached.
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Write a short letter with your name, SSN or ITIN, and explain you believe you received it by mistake.
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Mail to:
Golden State Stimulus Fund, Franchise Tax Board,
PO Box 3070, Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-3070
💵 Cashed checks:
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Send a personal check or money order payable to California Franchise Tax Board.
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Write “Erroneous GSS payment” on the memo line.
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Include an explanation letter with your name and SSN/ITIN.
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Mail to the same address above.
🧾 How to file an amended tax return
It’s common for nonresidents to accidentally file as residents.
Always double-check your tax residency — filing incorrectly can cause issues with future visa or Green Card applications.
The Substantial Presence Test, which determines your tax residency, is simple to do — and you can complete it for free through J1 SummerTaxBack’s residency tools.
If you discover you filed incorrectly, you’ll need to amend your return by filing Form 1040X.
You can easily amend your tax return online — and J1 SummerTaxBack can help you through every step to make sure your return is fully compliant with IRS rules.
💬 Who can help me with my US taxes?
US tax can be confusing, especially for nonresidents who are used to different systems back home.
That’s why J1 SummerTaxBack is here to help! 🙌
Our team can:
✅ Prepare both Federal and State tax returns
✅ Help you claim your maximum legal refund
✅ Guide you in amending incorrect filings
✅ Offer 24/7 tax support whenever you need it