If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen the headlines. Some TikTok video or AI-generated news snippet claims there’s a fresh "California stimulus check" landing in mailboxes any day now. It sounds great. Who wouldn't want a few hundred bucks to deal with the price of eggs or gas in Los Angeles?
But here is the reality check: California is not sending out a massive, statewide stimulus check in 2025. I know, it’s not the news anyone wants. We all remember those Golden State Stimulus (GSS) payments and the Middle Class Tax Refund (MCTR) that hit bank accounts a couple of years ago. Those were real. They were big. And they are officially over.
Honestly, the state budget is in a very different place now than it was during the pandemic-era surplus. Instead of a $100 billion "problem" of having too much money, Governor Gavin Newsom and the state legislature are currently staring down a multi-billion dollar deficit. When the state is cutting programs like Medi-Cal and housing funds, they aren't exactly looking to cut checks to 30 million people.
Why the is California Getting a Stimulus Check 2025 Rumors Won't Die
You might be wondering why you keep seeing these rumors if they aren't true. It's usually a mix of three things: old news being recycled, confusing tax credits with "stimulus," and a few very specific local programs that don't apply to most people.
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First, people often confuse the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) with a stimulus check. If you're a low-to-moderate-income worker, you can get a significant chunk of money back when you file your taxes in 2025. For some, this can be up to $3,500. It feels like a stimulus check because it’s a lump sum of cash, but it’s actually a tax refund. You have to file your return to get it.
Second, there are local "Guaranteed Income" pilots. For instance, a program in Sacramento called Family First has been giving $725 a month to 200 low-income families. These programs are tiny. If you aren't one of those 200 people, you aren't getting that money. But when these stories hit the news, the headlines often just say "California families to receive monthly checks," which makes everyone think it's a statewide thing.
The Budget Reality: From Surplus to Shortfall
To understand why a 2025 stimulus is basically impossible, you have to look at the math. In 2022, California had so much money they literally had to give it back because of something called the "Gann Limit." That’s a law that caps how much tax money the state can keep.
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Things have flipped.
The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) has been ringing the alarm bells about a structural deficit that could reach $35 billion by 2027. The state is currently using its "Rainy Day Fund" just to keep basic services running. Basically, the vault is empty. You can't send out stimulus checks when you're borrowing money to pay for schools and roads.
Real Tax Relief You CAN Get in 2025
Just because there isn't a "stimulus check" doesn't mean there's no money available. The 2025-26 budget actually includes a few specific tax breaks that might help you, depending on your situation.
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- Military Retirees: A big change in the 2025 budget is a tax cut for veterans. Starting in tax year 2025, military retirees can exclude up to $20,000 of their retirement pay from state taxes.
- The Renters Tax Credit: There’s been a lot of talk about increasing the Renters Tax Credit. While it’s still subject to budget negotiations, it’s a potential way for people who don't own homes to see a little extra in their tax return.
- EV Rebates: With the federal EV tax credit being rolled back, Governor Newsom has proposed a state-level rebate of up to $200 million to help Californians buy electric vehicles. This isn't a check in the mail for everyone; it's a discount for people buying a car.
Watch Out for Scams
Because people are searching for "is California getting a stimulus check 2025," scammers are having a field day. If you get a text message with a link asking you to "claim your California relief payment," do not click it. The California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) will never text you to ask for your bank info or social security number to send a stimulus check. If there ever were a new stimulus, it would be handled through your tax filings or sent to the address on your last return automatically.
What You Should Actually Do Now
Since a surprise check isn't coming to save the day, the best move is to maximize what you’re already owed.
- File your 2024 taxes early in 2025. This is how you get the CalEITC and the Young Child Tax Credit. If you made less than $30,000, you are almost certainly leaving money on the table if you don't file.
- Check for Unclaimed Property. The State Controller’s Office is holding billions in "unclaimed property"—stuff like old utility deposits, forgotten bank accounts, or uncashed checks from years ago. It’s free to search, and that's the closest thing to a "stimulus check" most people will find this year.
- Update your info with the FTB. Even though the Middle Class Tax Refund is over, there are still thousands of unspent debit cards floating around. If you never got yours in 2023 or 2024, you can contact the FTB to see if you have a balance waiting, though the window for reissuing those payments closed in mid-2024.
The bottom line is that the era of "COVID-19 relief" is over. California is tightening its belt, and that means we have to do the same. Don't plan your 2025 budget around a check that isn't coming. Instead, focus on the tax credits you’re legally entitled to and keep an eye on the state's May Revision budget update for any last-minute changes to tax policy.
To ensure you don't miss out on legitimate money, visit the California Franchise Tax Board website and use their "Check Your Refund" tool to track your 2025 state tax return status.