The amount depends on your income and filing status
California's Middle Class Tax Refund (MCTR) card sends you money based on your 2023 tax return. The payment is not a flat amount — it ranges from $20 to $1,050 depending on how much you earned and whether you filed as single, married filing jointly, or head of household.
The state uses your adjusted gross income (AGI) from your 2023 return to calculate your refund. If your AGI falls within the income range for your filing status, you receive a payment. If your income is above the threshold, you receive nothing.
The refund card itself is a prepaid debit card issued by the state. The money is already loaded onto it when it arrives in your mail. You do not need to do anything to activate the funds — they are ready to spend immediately.
Key Takeaways
- The MCTR payment ranges from $20 to $1,050 and is based entirely on your 2023 adjusted gross income and filing status.
- Single filers with AGI between $75,000 and $125,000 receive payments; married filing jointly between $150,000 and $250,000; head of household between $112,500 and $187,500.
- The money arrives on a prepaid debit card in the mail, and the funds are loaded and ready to use when you receive it.
- You can check your payment amount by logging into the Franchise Tax Board website with your Social Security number and tax return information.
Income ranges and payment amounts by filing status
The MCTR uses a sliding scale. Filers at the lower end of the income range receive $1,050. As income increases, the payment decreases. Once your income exceeds the upper threshold for your filing status, you receive $20 or nothing at all, depending on the year the refund was issued.
For single filers, the income range is $75,000 to $125,000 adjusted gross income. For married couples filing jointly, it is $150,000 to $250,000. Head of household filers fall between $112,500 and $187,500. These ranges are based on your 2023 tax return.
The exact payment amount within that range is calculated by the Franchise Tax Board using a formula tied to your specific AGI. You cannot calculate it yourself without knowing the exact formula, but the state publishes the payment amount once your return is processed.
How to find out your exact payment amount
The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) website lets you check your MCTR payment before the card arrives. Go to ftb.ca.gov and look for the MCTR payment tracker or status tool. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and either your filing status or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Log in and enter your information. The system will show you whether you are receiving a payment, the amount, and the expected delivery date. This is the most reliable way to know your exact refund before the card shows up in your mailbox.
If you filed your 2023 return late or amended it, your payment amount may not appear immediately. The FTB processes returns in the order they are received, so allow time for your return to be fully processed before checking.
When the card arrives and how to use it
The MCTR cards were mailed starting in October 2024 and continued through early 2025. The state mailed them in batches based on when your tax return was processed, so arrival dates varied. If you have not received your card yet, check the FTB website for your expected delivery date.
The card is a standard prepaid debit card. You can use it anywhere Visa is accepted — at stores, online, ATMs, and bill payment services. There are no fees to use the card for purchases or to check your balance. You can also transfer the money to your bank account if you prefer.
The card does not expire, and neither does the money on it. You can spend it at your own pace. If you lose the card, contact the card issuer (listed on the back of the card or in the mailing materials) to report it and request a replacement.
What to do if you do not receive your card
If your expected delivery date has passed and you have not received the card, first check the FTB website again to confirm the mailing address on file. If the address is wrong, you can update it through the FTB portal or by calling their customer service line.
If the address is correct but the card did not arrive, contact the card issuer directly. The issuer can confirm whether the card was delivered and can reissue it if it was lost in the mail. The issuer's phone number is on the mailing materials that came with your tax return or on the FTB website.
Do not assume the card was not sent to you. Mail delays happen, especially during high-volume periods. Wait at least two weeks past the expected delivery date before contacting the issuer.
Income limits and who does not receive a payment
If your 2023 adjusted gross income was below $75,000 (single), $150,000 (married filing jointly), or $112,500 (head of household), you do not receive an MCTR payment. The program targets middle-income earners, not lower-income filers.
If your income was above $125,000 (single), $250,000 (married filing jointly), or $187,500 (head of household), you also do not receive a payment. High-income earners are excluded from the program.
Non-residents and part-year residents may have different income thresholds. If you did not live in California for the entire 2023 tax year, check the FTB website for your specific rules, or call their customer service line to confirm whether you are in the income range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the MCTR card to withdraw cash from an ATM?
Yes. The card works like a standard debit card at any ATM that accepts Visa. You can withdraw cash, check your balance, and transfer money to your bank account. Some ATMs may charge a fee if they are not part of the card issuer's network, so check before you withdraw.
What if I filed my taxes late or amended my return after receiving the card?
If you amended your 2023 return after the MCTR was issued, you will not receive an additional payment or adjustment. The refund is based on the return processed at the time the FTB calculated payments. Amendments do not trigger a recalculation of the MCTR.
Do I have to pay taxes on the MCTR money?
No. The MCTR is not taxable income. It does not appear on your 2024 tax return and does not affect your tax filing. It is a one-time state payment, not a refund of taxes you overpaid.
What happens if I move out of California before the card arrives?
The card will be mailed to the address on file with the FTB. If you have moved, update your address on the FTB website before the card is mailed. If the card arrives at your old address, contact the card issuer to have it reissued to your new address.
Can I check my MCTR payment status without logging into the FTB website?
You can call the Franchise Tax Board customer service line to ask about your payment status. Have your Social Security number and tax return information ready. Wait times can be long during peak periods, so the website is usually faster.