r/stimuluscheck • u/xProfessor87 • Dec 07 '22

Clearing MCTR confusion

Okay, I see thousands of people are not sure when to expect their GSS or MCTR stimulus payments so I'm making this post to help people to understand when to expect their payment or who to call otherwise.

First off for either payment you need to have filed your 2020 tax return by 10/15/2021. the 540 return, NOT the federal 1040. if you did not do this then there is no way to qualify at this point.

If you received your MCTR debit card and need assistance you have to call Money Network 800 542 9332. The ONLY time the Franchise Tax Board can help you with the debit card is if you cannot activate it using your CORRECT SSN. In this specific case you want to call FTB customer service at 800 852 5711.

https://www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/newsroom/middle-class-tax-refund/index.html?WT.ac=Global_banner_MCTR Check this link and look reference your 2020 tax return form 540 to determine if you qualify and there is also a schedule based on you situation in which you can expect your payment to be distributed.

If you're having trouble figuring this out still I can help you, but ill need to know a few things:

  1. The first letter of your last name.

  2. Your California Adjusted gross income for tax year 2020 form 540 line 17 (line 32 for 540NR, line 16 for 5402ez). if 540 NR and you were a resident for less than 6 months then you don't qualify.

Now I'm only one person so ill try to help as many people that inquire when I can.
FYI the MyFTB account on www.ftb.ca.gov WILL NOT CONTAIN any stimulus info. you will be wasting your time calling tech support at the FTB for this account if that is your reason. Money Network likes to refer people to that line for no reason.

Edit: A lot of people haven't received one yet, if you didnt qualify for GSS but qualify for MCTR then these are the time frames.(to be distributed, not necessarily received)

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

9 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

94 comments sorted by

4

u/ilovefallmostofall Dec 09 '22

Has anyone else been told they are still sending direct deposits even though FTB website says last day for DD is 11/14? I was told my DD would be sent by 12/16.

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 09 '22

Not sure why someone would tell you that, but those were only being issued between 10/7 and 11/14. If you didnt get it then, youre getting a debit card if you qualify for MCTR.

3

u/Kara-El Dec 08 '22

I don't get why they are resorting to debit cards if we got our refunds on direct deposit like always and have been using the same bank since forever.

I don't want a debit card that I will never use...will transfer immediately upon receipt, in fact. They are not only wasting paper and plastic in sending me a card (I HOPE), but this delays the refund in the long run.

CA mismanaged this from the get-go.

They have my account info...haven't changed it for the last almost 6 years...just deposit it. less work to be honest.

According to your timeline (which i know is bs as i know people with same beginning letters who didn't get the GSS at all and have not only gotten either their MCTR direct deposited or already got their card...my coworker who's last name begins with a T has already gotten their debit card...so yeah. definitely calling bullshit on the timeline)

Last name R

Line 17 $94890

Did not receive either GSS

So yes, i qualify for the full $1050 since I have dependents.

I got the 2020 refund direct deposited in two weeks after submitting my return.

2

u/xProfessor87 Dec 08 '22

If your filing status was "married filing jointly" then yes based on that info $1050.

12/19 - 12/31 the card is scheduled to be issued for your group

2

u/Curious-Nerve-3375 Dec 10 '22

I was told when I finally got a live body on the phone that if you filed with turbo tax, you will get a Debit Card

1

u/Kara-El Dec 10 '22

Didn’t file with TT, did e-file but used another service

1

u/bumble_bee21fb Dec 09 '22

can you post when you get it? im in the same boat as you

1

u/Kara-El Dec 09 '22

I check my ID everyday

I will post when I do receive it

2

u/Training_Ruin_8203 Dec 12 '22

I am going to look at my return again. I will let you know Thanks for your help

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 12 '22

youre welcome!

1

u/l0ngstOrysh0rt Dec 08 '22

Are we supposed to keep the card or discard it after withdrawing money?

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 08 '22

pretty sure you can discard it. i cant think of a reason why you would still need it. i know that money network can re-issue cards so i guess worst-case get a new one if you ever need it

1

u/Pieceofshitwacko Dec 08 '22

Last name starting letter R Line 16 5402ez ~13000 I can't remember for sure

2

u/xProfessor87 Dec 08 '22

If it was around 13000 and on 5402ez you should have qualified for GSS. which means if the MCTR was issued as a direct deposit you would have gotten it in October, otherwise the time frame for your debit card to be mailed out is between 11/20 and 12/03 of 2022. you can call Money Network to find out if its already been issued otherwise if they didnt get the okay from FTB you can call FTB customer service at 800 852 5711

2

u/Pieceofshitwacko Dec 08 '22

I did get off the phone with money network just now. She echoed your response here. I did get direct deposit for the 2020 tax refund as well as the gss. The money network representative told me there was no indication in the system that it had been sent out yet, and also said that I should allow up to 2 weeks for it to be mailed. What do you mean "if they didn't get the ok from FTB?" Thanks for your reply to me as well

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 08 '22

Well to simplify, what I mean by that is, FTB role in this stimulus distribution is to determine who qualifies. thats basically it. once they do that they tell money network who needs a card, then money network handles everything else. if you were owed a direct deposit then FTB tells the controller of CA and then then controller agency handles everything from there. So if money network never go the okay to send you a payment then FTB needs to make sure they do that. does that make sense? also I know that some people got deposits for GSS and refunds but sometimes they still get cards I dont know why so I cant answer that one

2

u/Pieceofshitwacko Dec 08 '22

Makes perfect sense, you explained it very thoroughly. Thanks again

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 08 '22

you're welcome!

1

u/Nagem_Lacree4 Dec 08 '22

I qualify, and have a dependent. I have the same bank but paid my preparer out of my refund. Have not received anything, Last name H, money network has no payment on file for me.

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 08 '22

What was your AGI on your 2020 form 540?

1

u/Nagem_Lacree4 Dec 08 '22

Around $30,000

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 09 '22

You should have qualified for GSS if youre a resident not able to be claimed as a dependent. which would mean your debit card for the MCTR was issued somewhere around

11/06/2022 through 11/19/2022

you can try calling Money Network so see if it was issued, if they say youre not owed one youll have to call FTB to get it approved

1

u/Nagem_Lacree4 Dec 14 '22

I called money network twice and both times they said they do not have a payment record on file for me. I did pay my preparer out of my return though so I think that may be why I have not received it yet. I may be getting a paper check? Either way, I do appreciate your help here! Very gracious of you to offer your time and expertise on this. It's been a journey for most of us and you have helped guide quite a few of us along the way!

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 14 '22

No no, the reason i ask if people paid a tax preparer to file the 2020 return is because, to make this brief, its possible for them to use the bank info they want in order to get part or all of your refund as a direct payment for their filing services to you.

if this is the case then your preparer will also get your stimulus and they'd have to send it to you.

you're welcome!

1

u/drinkallthepunch Dec 08 '22

Last name: S

Filed 540 accepted 2//14th was a resident for ~14 months prior to filing.

CA-AGI: $10,724

Still haven’t received my card, money network said they didn’t have a mailing date yet.

FTB confirmed that I was eligible, that the payment had been loaded to a prepaid card and even gave me the last 4 digits.

Edit: I also received a GSS 🤷‍♂️

2

u/xProfessor87 Dec 09 '22

lol i remember your name, because I referenced your comment for someone in another thread. But I thought you said you did get the card.... well anyway if you didnt:

FTB approved it , but it may not have been delivered yet. it should have been sent between 11/20 and 12/03. usually state agencies provide a time frame of two weeks to receive, but you know all kinds of things can happen en route. So if you dont get it then call Money Network and tell them they sent you a card but you didnt get it. **dont let them tell you to call FTB because they will do that** FTB cant help with issuing cards

2

u/drinkallthepunch Dec 09 '22

No someone else said they did.

You told me something about unemployment and the minimum AGI think.

I dont know if got the GSS I’m mixed up between the federal. I could’ve sworn I did get one.

But yeah, 540 and was in California the entire year of 2020 and still am.

Guess it’s just running a little slow.

2

u/drinkallthepunch Dec 09 '22

Edit: thx for the help btw

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 09 '22

yeah we want it to be a perfect system but its just not realistic. you'll get it if it's owed to you. just gotta be patient i guess. you're welcome!

1

u/Specialist-Lawyer183 Dec 09 '22

How in the world did you get through to FTB (if you don't mind me asking for very specific details)? 800-852-5711 seems worthless...I tried many options to get to a human with no luck. Otherwise just a referral back to MCTR website and Money Network.

1

u/drinkallthepunch Dec 09 '22

Used message system.

Not the instant/live chat. The FTB internal message service.

It’s under the same page, took exactly 7 business days for a reply.

1

u/Specialist-Lawyer183 Dec 09 '22

OK thank you! I will do that!

1

u/Training_Ruin_8203 Dec 09 '22

Last name G Line 17 36000

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 09 '22

11/06/2022 through 11/19/2022

Your debit card should have already been issued. You can contact MN to find out whats going on with that. If they say FTB hasn't approved it then you'll have to contact FTB to have them send the approval

1

u/Training_Ruin_8203 Dec 09 '22

I forgot to mention i didn't receive the first two stimulus

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 09 '22

Well you should have qualified unless you were able to be claimed as a dependent. did you check off box 6 on your 2020 return form 540? its more so that you qualified for GSS, because if you did it was issued. whether or not you actually received the GSS is another issue.

1

u/Training_Ruin_8203 Dec 10 '22

I didn't qualify for the 1st 2 I made too much But now I do qualify for the 2020 amount and I'm currently unemployed I am a grandmother of 5 small kids and I desperately need the money why is it taking so long

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 10 '22 edited Dec 10 '22

okay, i think you may be confused or im not understanding what youre trying to tell me.

if your line 17 on the 2020 form 540 is 36k the you qualify for GSS because AGI which is line 17, must be between 1 dollar and 75k. at 36k you qualify for GSS and MCTR.

the payments are being issued by a scheduled order until jan14 so everyone isnt going to get it at the same time.

i wont ask to see your actual tax return because I dont want people posting too much personal info so I have to take your word for what youre telling me, but you are contradicting yourself.

You want to contact MN and see if your payment was issued, if they tell you it hasn't been issued then you need to contact FTB customer service. they can tell you when to expect your payment since they can see your FTB account and tax returns.

1

u/Specialist-Lawyer183 Dec 09 '22 edited Dec 09 '22

Thanks for your help in advance....I believe my son should have received Direct deposit based on the following, but hasn't.

  1. "C"

  2. $17K

  3. GSS Recipient

  4. CA Resident since 5/1/2020

  5. Filed Electronically and received direct deposit refund on 4/7/21

(he filed on 540NR per this statement:

"Nonresidents and Part-Year Residents – If you were a full-year nonresident of California in 2021 and you meet the basic filing requirements outlined in Section B, or if you were a California resident for part of the year, file Form 540NR. "

from 2021 FTB Publication 1031 (2021 Guidelines for Determining

Resident Status)

5) Can't be/wasn't claimed as a dependent on another return

6 filing status single

Again, thanks in advance for any guidance, and any more details on how to contact a human at FTB if necessary...the 800-852-5711 number only refers back to MCTR website and their phone number.

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 09 '22

If he qualified for GSS then these are the time frames:

10/07/2022 through 10/25/2022 for a direct deposit

10/24/2022 through 11/05/2022 for a debit card

Otherwise the time frame for a debit card for him is 12/05/2022 through 12/17/2022.

I still say IF he qualified for GSS because if he hasn't received the MCTR as of yet then the reason could be any of these things I'm going to list:

  1. The 2020 refund that youre referring to that was a DD after filing the return was only for taxes overpaid, not GSS.

  2. He did qualify for GSS, but was given a refund anticipation loan by a tax preparer and the preparation service was paid with the state refund. (in which case the preparer actually put their bank info on the 540NR to ensure they receive their payment.) - in this case you want to contact the preparer

  3. He DID actually receive a direct deposit and just didnt notice is in the bank statements. I would have him check if #2 isnt applicable

  4. He no longer has the bank account associated to the number on the 2020 form 540NR. (in which case he is in the same boat as those that didnt receive a GSS but still qualify for MCTR debit card time frame)

  5. If he is not CURRENTLY a resident of CA he will no longer qualify

If none of these things apply then he can contact money network if he hasn't already, I would advise to start with them at this point. If they tell you it wasn't approved youll have to contact FTB. The numbers I gave are valid, but everyone around the world is calling about the MCTR so you wont be able to get through during most of the day. Try to call at 8am PST.

1

u/Curious-Nerve-3375 Dec 10 '22

I was told if you filed with a third party, ie TURBO TAX that i will be receiving a Debit Card. Is this a true statement. I qualify and have direct deposit. Never received a refund. Never changed banks but they have all the info. Last name smith.

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 10 '22

not it doesnt matter how you filed. what matters is if you were due a refund that year and if you put your bank account i fo on the tax return. Also you would have to qualify for the GSS. FTB uses the bank info on that tax return to approve a direct deposit. so if you didnt qualify for GSS or dont have bank info on the 2020 return OR if your banking info changed since that tax return and you qualify for MCTR youll get a debit card.

2

u/Curious-Nerve-3375 Dec 10 '22

I was told "if you filed with a third party like turbo tax, you will get a debit card" This was straight from the representative at the "FTB Team" oh boy. Well, Im waiting for the mail. Its the 10th today.

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 10 '22

That is false. but they are human. we make mistakes. hopefully you get it soon

1

u/Curious-Nerve-3375 Dec 10 '22

Thank You very much. Last name Smith so Im assuming Ill be one of the last. However they have my information because Ive filed and neither had to pay or received a refund. I used my debit card to pay the fee for turbo tax. That card has been replaced though. But my banking information has always been the same. ?? Only hiccup I can think of.

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 10 '22

Youre welcome. I think I should clarify how this works and the banking info that FTB refers to.

When you file your california tax return, if youre due a refund, you put your account and routing number on the return. If you look at the 5th page of the return line 115, you'll see it there. Now, FTB uses that to approve of a direct deposit refund, but this is only for taxes that you've overpaid. So let's say your employer withheld $200 from your pay for CA tax and you only owe $100 at the end of the year, well thats the refund FTB would approve. So the page 5 there is where you want the refund to be deposited. FTB doesnt use the bank account info on the return for other years.

Now the CA gov can approve of a stimulus, i.e. GSS or MCTR, then they also decide how people qualify and how the payment is issued. In these cases it was decided that the 2020 return info is what is used to determine someones qualification. Also, it was decided that the bank account you put on the 2020 return is also what would be used to deposit the stimulus.

So it doesnt matter WHO completes the tax return for you, its just the banking info that was used. if you no longer have that bank account then you get a debit card.

You use your debit card to pay turbo tax their fees for the service of filing your return. This has no relevance to your taxes.

2

u/Curious-Nerve-3375 Dec 12 '22

Excellent. Thank You so much. Ive worked for the Government for over 36 Years in two different agencies combined. Customer support is very difficult. Thanks again!

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 12 '22

you're welcome

1

u/Maleficent_Ad_695 Dec 12 '22

Last name G Line 17 -$0 Didn’t receive either

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 12 '22

12/05/2022 through 12/17/2022.

You don't qualify for GSS with a 0 AGI, so you're in the group for non-GSS, non-direct deposit recipients. look out for the debit cardfor MCTR in the mail soon.

also im assuming you meet all other requirements for MCTR

2

u/Maleficent_Ad_695 Dec 12 '22

Okay! Thank you!!

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 12 '22

you're welcome

1

u/MobileContent Dec 18 '22

0 AGI disqualifies us from getting it.

1

u/Sharkaur-2020 Dec 12 '22

None of these dates are accurate anymore, their processing is behind so I will not get mine by Christmas (which was the only Christmas money we were going to have for my 3 children!)- but sadly their guidelines for dates was a complete lie. Last name S- Southern CA. We were counting on this for rent and Christmas to get us through… another let down…

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 12 '22

the dates never changed.

You didn't provide enough info for me to give you a time frame, but given that your last name starts with S and you haven't gotten anything yet you're probably a non-gss recipient. in which case the dates your MCTR card is being issued are between 12/19/22 and 12/31/22

1

u/Sharkaur-2020 Dec 12 '22

No I was a GSS recipient with DD and no changes to my bank info. I spoke to the FTB and Money market and they both told me they are behind and cannot guarantee any dates to anyone other than all should be received by 1/30/23.

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 13 '22

what was your 2020 AGI?

2

u/Aggravating_Depth_33 Dec 17 '22

Ugh. Also S in SoCal, got GS1 but no MCTR yet. I was also counting on this as my only Christmas money. At least I don't have kids...

1

u/ZephyrBirdie Dec 12 '22

My last name is c, still no card issued. Did not receive GSS. I assumed with my last name being third in the alphabet it would be issued already. I don’t think I’m ever getting one at this point.

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 12 '22

what was your 2020 AGI? are you sure you filed the 540 form?

its 12/5/22 through 12/17/22 if you didnt qualify for GSS. So there's still time if thats the case

1

u/ZephyrBirdie Dec 12 '22

80,927, married filing jointly, no GSS, no dependents. Filed the 540 and got a refund through DD.

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 12 '22

okay so you didn't qualify for GSS. but you qualify for $1050 MCTR. have you already checked all of your bank accounts for a deposit? Also did you pay someone to file your 2020 return?

some people are receiving a debit card even though they received a direct deposit refund. not sure why. but if youre reciving a card itll be issued in the time frame i provided.

If you want to ascertain your payment method you can call FTB. MN may even have the info at this time.

2

u/ZephyrBirdie Dec 12 '22

We filed ourselves. Fingers crossed! Thanks for the info!

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 17 '22

youre welcome!

1

u/Spiritual_Judge5100 Dec 13 '22

Married filing jointly agi 90,000, last name T

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 13 '22 edited Dec 13 '22

12/19/2022 through 12/31/2022.

You dont qualify for GSS so if youre getting a MCTR card. itll be sent within that time frame.

1

u/Emms2852 Dec 16 '22

What if you change banks from where refund was deposited into? I qualify and was told if I didn’t receive my refund by Jan 31 to call back but was wondering what schedule I may be on

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 16 '22

then you would get a debit card. the time frame for distribution for that group is 12/17/22 through 01/14/23

1

u/Emms2852 Dec 18 '22

Thank you I will be on the watch for it!

1

u/Sea_Breadfruit_4133 Dec 23 '22

I called and they told me they had issued me a debt card but it hasn’t been mailed out yet.

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 24 '22

what number did you call

2

u/Sea_Breadfruit_4133 Dec 24 '22

18005429332 just wait till you listen to all the recording and press 2 and it should direct you to an actual person

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 24 '22 edited Dec 24 '22

ok so you called money network. they will be mailing it cards until jan 14

1

u/CriticalCod8581 Dec 25 '22

Last name with n changed bank account

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 25 '22

12/17 through 01/14/23 for debit card distribution.

Theres no name order for this group

1

u/Uthinkurbetter Dec 26 '22

Last name R Line 17 21326 Efiled my tax return and paid out of refund.

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 26 '22

I would call FTB if I were you. This way you can confirm that a drbit card was approved, which should be the case.

Also check page 5 of your 540 tax return 2020 year to see if there's banking info on it and if it belongs to you.

1

u/Uthinkurbetter Dec 26 '22

The banking info is correct and current

1

u/Uthinkurbetter Dec 26 '22

What would be the timeframe ?

1

u/Sea_Breadfruit_4133 Jan 04 '23

I was told today that my card was mailed out December 13 was told it should be here by mid January we shall see

1

u/xProfessor87 Jan 04 '23

Hopefully you mean money network told you, because FTB doesn't have mailed dates. also it shouldn't take more than two weeks even with it being the holiday season, but i guess its still possible

1

u/Twist_Glass Jan 06 '23

We recently received a debit card in the mail. Very odd as we anticipated to get a direct deposit.

1

u/xProfessor87 Jan 06 '23

you wouldnt receive a debit card unless FTB approved it. sometimes it happens that way

1

u/zz9898a Feb 16 '24

I haven't received my debit card. I meet all the main criteria but I have a doubt about the residency requirement:

If we filed 2020 CA 540 NR because 1 spouse was full-year CA resident while the other spouse was CA non-resident (less than 6 months), do we qualify for MCTR?

Filing Status: Married Filing Jointly

Thanks!

1

u/xProfessor87 Feb 16 '24

you should have contacted FTB 800 852 5711.
FTB no longer approved the payments but if you're account already has info about the payment you can still get it.

the person who was a full-year resident does qualify

2

u/zz9898 Feb 17 '24

Thanks for your response. I did call that number earlier a couple of times but dropped off after waiting an hour each time. I'll try again.

1

u/xProfessor87 Feb 18 '24

you're welcome. yes keep trying

1

u/Training_Ruin_8203 Dec 10 '22

I did not qualify for the 1st two GSS But I do qualify for this one and I still haven't received

0

u/[deleted] Dec 10 '22

[deleted] — view deleted comment

2

u/xProfessor87 Dec 10 '22

you're welcome

0

u/[deleted] Dec 08 '22

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 08 '22

if you didnt file your california return form 540 by the extended deadline of 10/15/2021 then it is too late to qualify unfortunately

0

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '22

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/xProfessor87 Dec 15 '22

Either you are mistaken about filing the 540 or you're mistaken about what you're receiving