California Stimulus Check: When to Expect Inflation Relief Payments

Several U.S. states have begun issuing stimulus checks from this month, as millions of Americans are struggling to keep up with the increasing cost of living.

Around three-quarters of middle-income Americans are now saying their earnings aren't enough to pay for their cost of living, despite inflation rates continuing to come down from their peak of 9.1 percent in June to 8.3 percent.

California is the next state to announce when its residents can expect their tax rebates in the coming months, with more than 23 million Californians expected to receive the financial relief.

The much-needed refunds are expected to be between $200 and $1,050, depending on your income, and will be issued to residents who had previously or are currently living in the state by the time the check is issued.

The first residents expecting to receive their Middle Class Tax Refund are those who previously received the Golden State Stimulus payments via direct debit.

When Is California Issuing Stimulus Checks?

The first wave of the Middle Class Tax Refunds is expected to be issued from October 7.

Those payments are expected to hit bank accounts between October 7 and 25, with the rest of the direct deposits to be sent out between October 28 and November 14.

The state will also start mailing out debit cards to those who aren't set up for direct deposit and will be mailed between October 25 and December 10.

The rest of the debit cards for everyone else who qualifies but did not receive the Golden State Stimulus will be sent out by January 15, 2023.

Am I eligible for the Tax Refund?

The upcoming payment is available to residents who have lived in California for at least six months in the 2020 tax year or who are living in the state, but only if you filed your tax return by October 15, 2021.

If you have been listed as a dependent on someone else's tax return for 2020, then you will not be eligible for the refund.

You must also be earning under $250,000 a year as an individual taxpayer to qualify. If you file your taxes as a couple, you must be earning under $500,000 jointly to qualify.

How Much Will My Stimulus Check Be For?

How much you will receive is based on your income, your tax-filing status and your household size, with the payment ranging between $200 and $1,050.

Single taxpayers earning less than $75,000 a year can expect $350 per taxpayer, with an additional $350 for any dependents.

Couples who earn less than $150,000 will also receive $350 each if they filed their taxes together, meaning a married couple with children could receive the maximum of $1,050.

Individual filers earning between $75,000 and $125,000 a year and couples who earn between $150,000 and $250,000 can expect a $250 rebate per taxpayer.

These taxpayers will also expect a $250 rebate for dependents. A family with children could receive a total of $750.

For those who earn between $125,000 and $250,000 on their own, or couples earning between $250,000 and $500,000 annually, they will be issued $200 each. A family with children could receive a maximum of $600.

Unfortunately, single taxpayers earning $250,000 or more per year and couples earning a combined $500,000 are ineligible for the stimulus payments.

Which States Have Issued Stimulus Checks?

The state of Virginia began sending out around 3.2 million tax rebates worth up to $500 from Friday.

Around 6.2 million residents in Illinois are starting to receive their income tax rebates worth up to $100, along with a property tax refund worth up to $300, from September 12.

Hawaiians earning under $100,000 also got a $300 rebate earlier this month, while many Colorado taxpayers are expecting to receive their payments of up to $750 by September 30, with more than half of checks cashed in so far.

Governor Mike Dunleavy set the 2022 Mass Payment distribution date as last Tuesday for eligible Alaskans that filed electronically and requested direct deposit.

Which Other States Are Issuing Stimulus Checks?

Delaware and New Mexico have announced that their residents will be receiving similar stimulus packages over the coming months, but no specific dates have been decided for when the checks will be issued.

Indiana is continuing to issue its stimulus checks for late tax filers over the next month, as long as residents filed a state tax return for the year 2020 by January 3, 2022, as well as a 2021 Indiana tax return by April 18, 2022.

Residents in Maine are also in line to receive a tax refund, and have until October 31 to file their tax returns for 2021, while Rhode Island is expecting to begin issuing its $250 per child rebate in October.

Massachusetts residents are eagerly awaiting the news on their tax rebates, after the state said it would be finalizing details for in October after all citizens have submitted their tax returns for 2021.

Unfortunately, residents in New Jersey may be left waiting until 2023 to receive their refund, as the state's treasury spokesperson, Jennifer Sciortino, said they should arrive no later than May 2023.

Finally, South Carolina is expected to issue rebate checks of up to $800 to residents who filed their 2021 tax returns before the October 17 deadline, with checks expected to arrive before December 31.