This chapter is known and may be cited as the “Better for Families Act.”

return described in clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4), of:

(ii) Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) or less, and more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), the applicable amount shall be five hundred dollars ($500) plus an additional two hundred fifty dollars ($250) if the qualified recipient claimed a credit for one or more dependents under paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 17054 of the Revenue and Taxation Code on the return

described in clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4).

(iii) Five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) or less, and more than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000), the applicable amount shall be four hundred dollars ($400) plus an additional two hundred dollars ($200) if the qualified recipient claimed a credit for one or more dependents under paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 17054 of the Revenue and Taxation Code on the return described in clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4).

(B) In the case of an individual filing a head of household return pursuant to Part 10.2 (commencing with Section 18401) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, or an individual filing a surviving spouse return pursuant to Part 10.2 (commencing with Section 18401) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code that reported a California adjusted gross income, on

the return described in clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4), of:

(ii) Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) or less, and more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), the applicable amount shall be two hundred fifty dollars ($250) plus an additional two hundred fifty dollars ($250) if the qualified recipient claimed a credit for one or more dependents under paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 17054 of the Revenue and Taxation Code on

the return described in clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4).

(iii) Five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) or less, and more than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000), the applicable amount shall be two hundred dollars ($200) plus an additional two hundred dollars ($200) if the qualified recipient claimed a credit for one or more dependents under paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 17054 of the Revenue and Taxation Code on the return described in clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4).

(C) In the case of any other individual that reported a California adjusted gross income, on the return described in clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4), of:

additional three hundred fifty dollars ($350) if the qualified recipient claimed a credit for one or more dependents under paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 17054 of the Revenue and Taxation Code on the return described in clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4).

(ii) One hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000) or less and more than seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000), the applicable amount shall be two hundred fifty dollars ($250) plus an additional two hundred fifty dollars ($250) if the qualified recipient claimed a credit for one or more dependents under paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 17054 of the Revenue and Taxation Code on the return described in clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4).

(iii) Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) or less and more than one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000), the

applicable amount shall be two hundred dollars ($200) plus an additional two hundred dollars ($200) if the qualified recipient claimed a credit for one or more dependents under paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 17054 of the Revenue and Taxation Code on the return described in clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4).

2021, for the taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2020, and before January 1, 2021.

(ii) Is a resident of the state on the date payment is issued pursuant to subdivision (a).

(iii) Was a resident of the state for six months or more of the taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2020, and before January 1, 2021.

(iv) Cannot be claimed as a dependent, as defined in Section 17056 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, by another taxpayer.

(B) In the case of an individual who included either their federal individual taxpayer identification number or, if married, the federal individual taxpayer identification number of their spouse, on their California individual income tax return for the taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2020, and

before January 1, 2021, and who meets all of the other requirements of a qualified recipient, if the individual or their spouse applied for, but did not receive, a federal individual taxpayer identification number on or before October 15, 2021, the individual is a qualified recipient for purposes of this section if the tax return described in this subparagraph was filed on or before February 15, 2022.

(C) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), “qualified recipient” shall not include an individual that satisfies all of the following:

(ii) Files or filed their California individual income tax return using the single filing status for the taxable year described in clause (i) of subparagraph (A).

(iii) Is either of the following:

(I) Is deceased on the date the payment would otherwise be issued as authorized under subdivision (a).

(II) Is incarcerated, other than incarceration pending the disposition of charges, in a jail, prison, or similar penal institution or correctional facility on the date the payment would otherwise be issued as authorized under subdivision (a).

section, and shall receive only one payment of the applicable amount.

authorized by this section shall not be a refund of an overpayment of income taxes under Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 19301) of Part 10.2 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of any liability imposed under Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

months from receipt, for purposes of determining the eligibility of such individual, or any other individual, for benefits or assistance or the amount or extent of benefits or assistance under any state or local program not covered in subdivision (e). With respect to a state or local program, this subdivision shall only be implemented to the extent that it does not conflict with federal law relating to that program, and that any required federal approval or waiver is first obtained for that program.

Notwithstanding any other law, the state may contract with a third-party vendor for services relating to the distribution of payments made pursuant to this chapter in the form and manner best determined to expedite payment and mitigate fraud. A contract for services entered into pursuant to this section may include terms and conditions that are in the state’s best interest, but shall include an expiration date on each form of payment issued of no later than April 30, 2026, and a requirement that any unexpended or unclaimed balance of the payments issued shall, upon expiration, be returned to the Franchise Tax Board which will deposit the moneys in the General Fund, and all unused balances returned, no later than May 31, 2026.

payment is marked by the state as a “Better for Families Tax Refund payment” or includes some other industry-standard unique identifier that is reasonably sufficient to allow the financial institution to identify the funds as a Better for Families Tax Refund payment.

or a municipality or municipal corporation, including an order to freeze the assets in an account, to effect a garnishment against a debtor.

This chapter shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.