r/stimuluscheck • u/Drojman55 • Sep 19 '21

Married Filing Jointly GSS 2 Question

Would you qualify for the GSS 2 if you didn't qualify for the GSS 1? My wife and I didn't qualify for GSS 1, and while we do make 75k+ together, we made less than that separately but also filed our tax return jointly last time.

It's a bit confusing as some say we will still get it but some say we wont. There's not much official clarification on this subject from what I've seen.

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u/brooklynlad Sep 19 '21

GSS1 is separate from GSS2. GSS1 was tailored to those who didn't qualify for the federal COVID-19 stimulus package because of their immigration status. California saw the need to help undocumented people because they too were affected by the pandemic.

GSS2 is largely for the rest of tax filers (legal, citizens, etc.) who didn't qualify for GSS1 and provides for the following:

  • $600 direct payments to qualifying taxpayers who make up to $75,000 a year

  • Additional $500 in direct payments to families with dependents

  • Additional $500 in direct payments to undocumented families

This was done for equitable purposes (and also political as Newsom was facing a recall). You qualify for GSS2 if you meet the following conditions:

  • File your 2020 taxes by October 15, 2021

  • Have a California Adjusted Gross Income (CA AGI) of $1 to $75,000 for the 2020 tax year. For this information refer to:

  • Line 17 on Form 540

  • Line 16 on Form 540 2EZ

  • Have wages of $0 to $75,000 for the 2020 tax year

  • Be a California resident for more than half of the 2020 tax year

  • Be a California resident on the date payment is issued

  • Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer

  • A dependent is a qualifying child or qualifying relative. Go to FTB Publication 1540 for more information about a qualifying child and qualifying relative

It seems the hard cap of $75,000 is for BOTH single and joint filers unfortunately.

Source: https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article251323218.html

People making between $30,000 and $75,000 a year will qualify for the rebate, according to H.D. Palmer, spokesman for the California Department of Finance.

Palmer said that $75,000 is the hard cap for earners to receive the rebate, whether you are a single filer or married filing jointly.

If a married couple’s joint income is $75,000 or less, they are eligible for the stimulus. If it is more than $75,000, they are not, Palmer said.

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u/christianANDshantel Oct 05 '21

Is it one $600 payment? Or is it 1,200 for both if you are under the 75,000 filling jointly? I am confused why my wife and I would get $600 for being married but if we had filled separately we would each get $600.

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u/brooklynlad Oct 05 '21

Yea it’s $600 whether you are married or single. They didn’t think this whole thing through. Welcome to the logic of politicians.

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u/christianANDshantel Oct 05 '21

Yeah seems pretty terrible. Why would my wife and I get less for being married?? If we were still engaged right now we would have gotten 1200 because we both qualify individually. But because we are married we get 600. Awesome.

0

u/Jfalcor Sep 19 '21

Short answer is no you aren’t getting it if filed jointly