Overview
The Middle Class Tax Refund (MCTR) is a one-time payment to provide relief to Californians.
If you are eligible, you will automatically receive a payment. Payments are expected to be issued between October 2022 and January 2023.
Reminder to activate your debit card
If you received a Middle Class Tax Refund (MCTR) debit card and have not activated it, you will receive an activation reminder letter that includes instructions on activating your debit card. For assistance with activation, replacement, lost, or stolen MCTR card, call 1-800-240-0223.
For questions or to activate your card, visit the contact information on this page.
2022 California Middle Class Tax Refund Education Video
Watch the California Middle Class Tax Refund Education Video from Visa.
Didn't receive your debit card?
If you have not received your debit card and believe that you are eligible, make sure that your address is up to date with FTB. Visit our Help with the Middle Class Tax Refund page for instructions to update your address.
Receiving and using your debit card
Some taxpayers will receive their payment on a debit card. Refer to the How you'll receive your payment section for information on how debit cards will be distributed.
FTB has partnered with Money Network to provide payments distributed by debit card. Visit the Money Network FAQ page for details on making purchases, withdrawals, and transfers with your debit card payment.
If you have not received your debit card and believe you are eligible, make sure your address is up to date with FTB. Visit our Help with the Middle Class Tax Refund page for instructions to update your address with us.
Note the return address of the envelope is Omaha, NE.
Debit card recipients that have not activated their payment card will receive a reminder letter that includes instructions on activating their debit card.
Determine your eligibility
You are eligible if you:
- Filed your 2020 tax return by October 15, 2021[i]
- Meet the California adjusted gross income (CA AGI) limits described in the What you may receive section
- Were not eligible to be claimed as a dependent in the 2020 tax year
- Were a California resident for six months or more of the 2020 tax year
- Are a California resident on the date the payment is issued
[i] To receive your payment, you must have filed a complete 2020 tax return by October15,2021. However, if you applied for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) but did not receive it by October 15, 2021, you must have filed your complete 2020 tax return on or before February 15, 2022. ↵Return to place in article
How you'll receive your payment
Californians will receive their MCTR payment by direct deposit or debit card.
Generally, direct deposit payments will be made to eligible taxpayers who e-filed their 2020 CA tax return and received their CA tax refund by direct deposit. MCTR debit card payments will be mailed to the remaining eligible taxpayers.
You will receive your payment by mail in the form of a debit card if you:
- Filed a paper return
- Had a balance due
- Received your Golden State Stimulus (GSS) payment by check
- Received your tax refund by check regardless of filing method
- Received your 2020 tax refund by direct deposit, but have since changed your banking institution or bank account number
- Received an advance payment from your tax service provider, or paid your tax preparer fees using your tax refund
When you'll receive your payment
The majority of MCTR payments have been issued; however, some payments require additional review and may be issued later than the payment date listed.
If you believe you are eligible to receive a payment and have not received it by February 14, 2023, call the customer support number listed in the contact information section.
Refer to the tables below for the latest updates on payment schedules.
| Recipients | Payment issue date |
|---|---|
| GSS I or II direct deposit recipients | 10/07/2022 through 10/25/2022 |
| Non-GSS recipients | 10/28/2022 through 11/14/2022 |
| Recipients | Debit card mailing timeframe |
|---|---|
| GSS I or II check recipients (last name beginning with A–E) | 10/24/2022 through 11/05/2022 |
| GSS I or II check recipients (last name beginning with F–M) | 11/06/2022 through 11/19/2022 |
| GSS I or II check recipients (last name beginning with N–V) | 11/20/2022 through 12/03/2022 |
| GSS I or II check recipients (last name beginning with W–Z) | 12/04/2022 through 12/10/2022 |
| Non-GSS recipients (last name beginning with A – K) | 12/05/2022 through 12/17/2022 |
| Non-GSS recipients (last name beginning with L – Z) | 12/19/2022 through 12/31/2022 |
| Direct deposit recipients who have changed their banking information since filing their 2020 tax return | 12/17/2022 through 01/14/2023 |
| Debit card recipients whose address has changed since filing their 2020 tax return | 01/30/2023 through 02/14/2023 |
[ii] Allow up to 2 weeks from the issue date to receive your debit card by mail. ↵Return to place in article
What you may receive
Refer to the tables below to determine your payment amount.
For your CA AGI, go to:
- Line 17 on your 2020 Form 540
- Line 16 on your 2020 Form 540 2EZ
| CA AGI reported on your 2020 tax return | Payment with dependent | Payment without dependent |
|---|---|---|
| $150,000 or less | $1,050 | $700 |
| $150,001 to $250,000 | $750 | $500 |
| $250,001 to $500,000 | $600 | $400 |
| $500,001 or more | Not qualified | Not qualified |
| CA AGI reported on your 2020 tax return | Payment with dependent | Payment without dependent |
|---|---|---|
| $150,000 or less | $700 | $350 |
| $150,001 to $250,000 | $500 | $250 |
| $250,001 to $500,000 | $400 | $200 |
| $500,001 or more | Not qualified | Not qualified |
| CA AGI reported on your 2020 tax return | Payment with dependent | Payment without dependent |
|---|---|---|
| $75,000 or less | $700 | $350 |
| $75,001 to $125,000 | $500 | $250 |
| $125,001 to $250,000 | $400 | $200 |
| $250,001 or more | Not qualified | Not qualified |
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 customer support
- 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
