By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

THE foreign and local workers who received earned income tax credit payments by filing claims online were told by a U.S. Internal Revenue Service special agent to return the money.
IRS Special Agent Beverly Ida met with at least 12 workers yesterday morning at the Horiguchi Building in Garapan.
At least one of the workers who met with the agent said they were told that those who got EIC tax refunds will receive a letter from the IRS detailing how they should return the money they were not entitled to receive.
A woman who asked not to be identified said she got $1,400 in EIC payments from the IRS.
She said she has already spent the money and will pay it in installments.
“The IRS special agent told us to return the money. She said we should wait for their letter with instructions,” she said.
The special agent told the group she had about 3,000 business cards when she arrived here and all of those are gone.
One of the claimants said that was an indication that many CNMI taxpayers had filed illegal EIC claims on the IRS Web site.
Those who attended the meeting at the Horiguchi Building were given small pieces of paper on which the agent wrote down her name and contact information.
Sources said the IRS is tracking down those who filed illegal claims for the EIC program which is in low income workers in the U.S.
Some who filed EIC claims online said a certain group filed on their behalf in exchange for commission ranging between 10 and 30 percent.
The IRS agent said it is illegal to charge commissions for filing EIC claims.