Use this page to find answers for topics related to the Middle Class Tax Refund (MCTR) payment.
Personal information
Your bank information changed
If your bank account has changed, closed, or updated since your 2020 California tax return was filed, you will receive your payment by debit card in the mail. Note that 10-14 weeks should be allowed for processing. For details about payment schedules, visit the When you’ll receive your payment section of our website.
You moved or changed your address
MCTR payments are sent to your last address on file. This address is typically from your last filed tax return. If you've moved and have not received your MCTR payment, you should:
- Update your address with FTB through MyFTB or Contact us. Once received, FTB will share your updated address with Money Network. Allow 30 days for FTB to process your address change request.
- Contact Money Network to request your debit card. Visit the Contact information section below for Money Network's customer support number.
Use of your personal information
Money Network and New York Community Bancorp will not use your personal information for marketing purposes despite the reservation of rights in their standard privacy policy. For more information on how your personal information is being used visit mctrpayment.com.
Using your debit card
Ways to access cash from your debit card
To access cash without fees, you may:
- Make purchases and request cash back at participating merchants accepting Visa debit cards
- Withdraw cash by using the Money Network Locator to find in-network ATMs
- Transfer funds to a bank account of your choice after activating and registering your card at mctrpayment.com
Please note that limits may apply to the amount of cash you are able to withdraw at merchants and ATMs. For additional information on fees, refer to the cardholder agreement.
Avoiding debit card fraud
Here are some tips to help protect your MCTR payment:
- Secure your MCTR payment by transferring or withdrawing your funds as soon as possible.
- Report promptly if you believe your MCTR debit card has been lost or stolen by calling
800-240-0223 . - Be cautious when sharing your password, PIN, Social Security Number, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
- Do not disclose card details unless speaking directly with Money Network, your bank, or making a trusted purchase.
- Visit FTB's Scams page and the Office of the State Attorney General for more tips on how to avoid scams.
Concerns with your payment
Issues with your debit card
If you have questions about your MCTR debit card, including how to activate it, a lost or stolen card, or want to make a dispute about charges on your MCTR debit card, visit the Contact information on this page for more information.
Issues with your direct deposit
Visit the Contact information on this page for more information.
You didn't receive a payment
If you believe you are eligible to receive a payment and have not received it by February 14, 2023, check your bank account statements to ensure that you did not receive it. Most people who qualified received a payment between October 2022 and February 2023. We encourage you to double-check your bank account for a payment from "FTB MCT REFUND MCT REFUND" as the depositor.
If you do not see the deposit, call the customer support number listed in the Contact information section. For details about eligibility requirements and payment schedules, visit the Determine your eligibility and When you’ll receive your payment sections of our website.
Identifying your payment
Your debit card
You’ll receive one (1) MCTR debit card per eligible 2020 tax return in an envelope such as the one below. The envelope states, “Not a bill or an advertisem*nt. Important information about your Middle Class Tax Refund.” The card you receive may or may not have an EMV chip.
Note the return address of the envelope is Omaha, NE.
Your direct deposit
You’ll receive a direct deposit to the bank account you received your 2020 California tax refund that states "FTB MCT REFUND MCT REFUND."
The majority of direct deposits posted to bank accounts between October 2022 and January 2023. Before contacting FTB, check your bank statements for these months.
Other eligibility and qualifications
Did not file a 2020 CA tax return
Assembly Bill (AB) 192 states that you must have already filed a tax return to qualify for the MCTR payment.
Amended 2020 CA tax return
Amending or filing your 2020 tax return after October15, 2021 or February15, 2022, as applicable, will not qualify taxpayers for the MCTR payment. However, FTB supports taxpayers filing true and accurate tax returns.
Household or residence
The MCTR payment is issued per tax return, not by household/residence. Two individuals in the same residence could both receive a payment individually, as long as they both qualify and did not file a joint return together in 2020.
Deceased eligible individuals
Deceased individuals that did not use the single filing status, or that claimed another person as a dependent on their 2020 tax return, may qualify for the payment. The payment is not available for individuals deceased on the day the payment would be issued and that used a single filing status without a dependent.
Incarcerated eligible individuals
Incarcerated individuals that did not use the single filing status, or that claimed another person as a dependent on the 2020 tax return may qualify for the payment. The payment is not available for individuals incarcerated on the day the payment would be issued and that used a single filing status without a dependent.
Married/registered domestic partner (RDP) filing separately
Married/RDP filing separately taxpayers who filed a 2020 tax return may each receive a payment if they each meet the qualifications for the MCTR payment.
Dependents
Individuals who were eligible to be claimed as a dependent in 2020 do not qualify for the MCTR payment.
Nonresidents or part-year residents
Eligible filers must have lived in California for six months or more of the 2020 tax year and be a California resident on the date payment is issued. They must still meet the other eligibility requirements.
Returning your payment
You received a payment in error
If you received the MCTR payment and believe this is an error, review the eligibility qualifications to verify this is a payment in error. Once verified, follow the instructions below that correspond to the payment type received.
You don't want to receive your payment
If you received the MCTR payment and wish to decline the payment, follow the instructions below that correspond to the payment type received, and include an explanation that describes why you are returning the payment.
Direct deposits and debit cards that have been used
- Send a personal check or money order payable to Franchise Tax Board to:
ATTN: Middle Class Tax Refund
Franchise Tax Board
PO Box 1237
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-1237 - State “Erroneous MCTR payment” on the check/money order memo area.
- Provide a letter of explanation, stating that you received the MCTR payment in error, or that you wish to decline the payment. Include your name (and other recipient’s name, if applicable) and identification number (SSN or ITIN).
Debit cards that have not been used
- Send the debit card to:
ATTN: Middle Class Tax Refund
Franchise Tax Board
PO Box 1237
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-1237 - Provide a letter of explanation, stating that you received the MCTR payment in error, or that you wish to decline the payment. Include your name (and other recipient’s name, if applicable) and identification number (SSN or ITIN).
Visit the Contact information on this page for more information.
1099-MISC income tax information
Individuals who received a California Middle Class Tax Refund (MCTR) payment of $600 or more in 2022 received a 1099-MISC for this payment. Individuals who received a MCTR payment of $600 or more in 2023 will not receive a 1099-MISC.
Taxable income
The MCTR payment is not taxable for California state income tax purposes. You do not need to claim the payment as income on your California income tax return.
The IRS delivered guidance on state tax payments on February 10, 2023, stating that Californians do not need to report the MCTR payments on their 2022 tax return, and that the IRS will not challenge the taxability of these payments for the 2022 tax year. The IRS later confirmed that Californians who received a MCTR payment in 2023 do not need to report the MCTR payments on their 2023 tax return.
Collections (offsets, withholding orders, wage garnishments, levies)
Offsets
The MCTR payment will not be subject to offset for debts owed to FTB or other government agencies.
Garnishment orders
In general, the MCTR payments are not subject to garnishment orders, with the exception of orders in connection with child support, spousal support, family support, or a criminal restitution payable to victims.
If you believe your MCTR payment that was deposited to your financial institution has been levied/frozen in error, contact the phone number provided by your financial institution.
Contact information
Customer support is available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, Vietnamese, Korean, and Punjabi. Other languages may be supported by request.
- Chat
- Available at mctrpayment.com
Weekdays, 8AM to 5PM - Automated general information
- 800-542-9332
Weekdays, 8AM to 5PM - Debit card questions
- Assistance with activation, replacement, lost, or stolen card
800-240-0223
Card activation available 24/7
Customer support available weekdays, 8AM to 5PM - Online
- mctrpayment.com
