Paper checks for 2nd stimulus on the way

With many who chose to receive their second stimulus payments via direct deposit already getting their money starting last week, the Department of Finance’s Division of Revenue and Taxation has started sending the paper checks last Friday, according to press secretary Kevin Bautista yesterday.

In his update on the status of the release of the second stimulus funds, Bautista said that many people have already begun to receive paper checks and direct deposits.

He said there are almost 9,000 direct deposits and about 25,000 paper checks to be disbursed by the Division of Revenue and Taxation.

Speaking at a radio news briefing Friday, Bautista said he learned from DRT director Tracy Norita that the first batch of direct deposits came out a few days ago last week.

“That’s about almost 9,000 direct deposit checks in people’s bank accounts for folks who opted for direct deposit,” Bautista said.

He said DRT has assured that they will soon be pushing out the next batch of direct deposits as well as the 25,000 paper checks for those who opted to go the traditional route.

The press secretary said the paper checks should start coming in by this week as DRT prepares disbursement of such checks through mail. “So that’s exciting for us as a Commonwealth,” he said.

Bautista said the Office of the Governor also continues to monitor U.S. congressional discussions regarding the additional stimulus check package, which would be an additional $1,400 on top of the $600 that people will be receiving.

“We continue to monitor that closely and we’ll be keeping the community posted on that,” he said.

Finance Secretary David Atalig stated in a press statement last week that their web portal is for those that got a paper check last time and would like to opt-in for direct deposit for this second stimulus and future stimulus payments.

The Division of Revenue and Taxation is expected to process nearly 31,000 second stimulus payments.

According to Finance’s website, which can be found at https://finance.gov.mp, the CNMI stimulus portal is now open until March 20, 2021.

The portal allows an eligible person to register to receive his/her federal stimulus payment via Automated Clearing House directly to his/her bank account.

Eligibility and payment amount will be determined based on only 2019 tax returns.