The amount depends on your income and filing status
California's Middle Class Tax Refund (MCTR) sends you money based on how much you earned in the tax year and whether you filed as single, married filing jointly, or head of household. The refund ranges from $20 to $1,050 per person. You do not choose the amount — the state calculates it from your tax return.
The refund phases out as your income rises. If you earned too much, you receive nothing. The income cutoffs vary by filing status, and they changed between tax years. For the 2023 tax year (filed in 2024), the income limits were higher than in 2022, so the same person might have received a refund one year and not the next.
Key Takeaways
- The refund amount ranges from $20 to $1,050 and is based on your California taxable income and filing status.
- Income limits determine whether you receive anything at all — earning above the threshold means no refund, regardless of how close you are to the cutoff.
- The state calculates your refund automatically if you filed a California tax return; you do not need to request it or provide extra information.
- Refunds were issued in multiple waves starting in October 2023 for the 2022 tax year, and the timing depends on when you filed and your filing status.
Income limits and refund amounts for the 2023 tax year
For the 2023 tax year (returns filed between October 2023 and April 2024), the income limits were:
| Filing Status | Income Limit | Maximum Refund |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $75,000 | $1,050 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $150,000 | $1,050 |
| Head of Household | $112,500 | $1,050 |
If your California taxable income was at or below these limits, you received a refund. The exact amount you got depended on where your income fell within the range. Taxpayers with lower incomes received smaller refunds than those closer to the income limit.
These limits applied only to the 2023 tax year. The 2022 tax year had different income thresholds ($75,000 for single filers, $150,000 for married filing jointly, and $112,500 for head of household), and the refund amounts were also different. If you filed for multiple years, each year's refund was calculated separately.
How the state calculated your specific refund amount
The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) used a formula based on your California taxable income. The refund was not a flat amount for everyone — it scaled down as your income increased. Someone earning $30,000 received a different amount than someone earning $70,000, even though both were under the income limit.
The state did not send you a separate notice telling you the calculation. The refund appeared on your tax return or as a separate payment. If you want to see the exact formula the FTB used, you can find it on the FTB website under the MCTR program details for the specific tax year you filed.
When you received the money and how it was sent
The state issued refunds in waves starting in October 2023 for the 2022 tax year. The timing depended on when you filed your return and your filing status. Married filing jointly returns were processed first, followed by head of household, then single filers. If you filed late in the tax season, your refund came later in the wave schedule.
The state sent the money by direct deposit if you provided a bank account on your return. If you did not provide banking information, the FTB mailed a check. Direct deposit arrived within one to two weeks of the issuance date. Checks took longer — typically two to three weeks from the mailing date, depending on postal service delays.
What to do if you did not receive your refund
Start by checking the FTB website using the "Where's My Refund?" tool. You can enter your Social Security number and filing status to see the status of your MCTR payment. The tool shows whether the refund was issued, when it was sent, and how it was sent (direct deposit or check).
If the tool shows the refund was issued but you have not received it, wait at least two weeks from the issuance date if it was direct deposit, or three weeks if it was mailed. If more time has passed and you still have not received it, contact the FTB directly. You can call their customer service line or file a claim through their website. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the tax year in question ready.
If the tool shows no refund was issued, you may not have met the income requirements, or there may have been an error on your return. The FTB can tell you which one. If there was an error, you may need to file an amended return.
Refunds for the 2024 tax year and beyond
As of now, the MCTR program has not been announced for the 2024 tax year. The program was created as a one-time response to California's budget surplus and was issued for the 2022 and 2023 tax years. Whether it continues depends on the state's budget situation and legislative action.
If you are waiting to see whether a 2024 MCTR will be issued, check the FTB website or the California Department of Finance announcements. These sources will confirm whether the program is active for the current tax year and what the income limits and refund amounts are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to do anything to get the refund, or does it happen automatically?
The refund is automatic if you filed a California tax return and met the income requirements. You do not need to request it, sign up, or provide extra information. The FTB calculates it and sends it to you.
What if I filed my return late — does that affect how much I get?
Filing late does not change the refund amount. It only changes when you receive it. Late filers were processed in later waves, so the payment arrived later in the year. The amount itself was the same as it would have been if you filed on time.
Can I check the status of my MCTR refund right now?
Yes, use the FTB's "Where's My Refund?" tool on their website. Enter your Social Security number and filing status to see whether your refund was issued, when it was sent, and how it was delivered. The tool updates regularly as payments are processed.
What if my income was just slightly over the limit — can I still get a refund?
No. The income limits are hard cutoffs. If your California taxable income exceeded the limit for your filing status, you did not receive a refund, even if you were only a few dollars over. There is no partial refund for people just above the threshold.
If I got a refund for 2022, will I automatically get one for 2023?
Not necessarily. Each tax year's refund is calculated separately based on that year's income and the income limits for that year. You might have may have access to in 2022 but not in 2023 if your income changed, or vice versa. The income limits and refund amounts also differ between years.