$200-$1,050 Direct Payment Delays Leave 460,000 Californians Furious

Approximately 460,000 Californian residents are experiencing delays in receiving their Middle Class Tax Refund.

The California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) had earlier announced that the majority of payments would be delivered by mid-January, according to an article published by The U.S. Sun on January 9, 2023. However, recipients are getting impatient as they have yet to receive their refunds and have been facing difficulties in getting information about their payments.

The California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) has already sent 7,020,930 direct deposits and 9,112,953 debit cards, and as of December 30, approximately $8.7 billion in refunds have been delivered, as seen in their website.

The  FTB phone system is causing frustration for taxpayers who are trying to reach a representative. The system has an endless loop of menu options, leading to long wait times and being disconnected. Some people have waited for up to 42 minutes before being connected with a representative.

The FTB chat option is also experiencing high traffic and delays. The media liaison for FTB stated that many people are calling with basic questions that can be found online.

Some payments require more review causing delays for some payments, but FTB is planning to issue 460,000 direct deposits next week. Recipients who have changed their address since filing their 2020 return will receive their payments by February 14.