Direct deposit your stimulus check

Skip going to the bank and have your stimulus check deposited directly into your bank account.

With the social distancing directive still in place, the Department of Finance is making it easier and more convenient for eligible CNMI residents who have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return to receive their stimulus checks by giving them the option to have then deposited directly into their accounts.

The CNMI on Monday received notification from the U.S. Department of Treasury and the IRS that the Commonwealth’s economic impact payment implementation plan has been approved and that the funds are on its way.

“We’re excited because we’re able to now give all our residents that qualify for this $1,200 stimulus, one-time payment, $2,400 for a couple, as well as $500 for every qualifying child,” Finance Secretary David Atalig said.

While the funds are scheduled to be released mid-May, Atalig is encouraging everyone to visit the department’s stimulus fund portal at https://finance.gov.mp/stimulus/.

“This will be the quickest way for you to receive your funds in your bank account,” he added. “Those that do not avail of the direct deposit will receive a paper check; however, it will be mailed out to your P.O. box address, and then you’ll need to take this check to the bank and line up and then cash it or deposit it, so I encourage everyone to visit our portal.”

Revenue and Taxation director Tracy D. Norita said that all the information submitted in the portal will be validated against the tax information on the tax returns, against the data on the CMMI tax system.

Norita further added that the portal is to provide service for taxpayers to submit their banking information “to help them with their physical distancing efforts.”

Register to direct deposit your stimulus

To get the stimulus deposited directly into a bank account, the filer must register an account at https://finance.gov.mp/stimulus/.

Once registered, the individual will have to state the most recent year since 2018 when his or her tax return was filed, as well as the filing status, whether as a single filer or married filing jointly.

Other information that will be requested include the primary filer’s name and social security number, the spouse’s name (if joint) and social security number, the Adjusted Gross Income, and the filer’s address or P.O. Box.

Lastly, to enable direct deposit, the filer should fill up his or her banking information, and then sign electronically.