SENATOR Edith Deleon Guerrero on Tuesday pre-filed a resolution requesting assistance for taxpayers who were unable to utilize the first local stimulus due to the March 31 deadline.
Senate Resolution 22-25 states that the deadline appeared on the Division of Revenue and Taxation website. However, it did not provide reasonable notice to numerous card recipients who missed the opportunity to use the funds prior to the deadline, the resolution added.
“The residents in our community are faced with financial uncertainties due to the impact of the pandemic that had caused reduced hours, furloughs, and other financial hardships,” the resolution stated.
According to the resolution, the impact of the Ukraine war, the steadily increasing fuel costs, and the rise in the inflation rate have all added to the families’ financial burdens.
The CNMI government issued $500 local stimulus cards to taxpayers in September 2021. In June 2022, similar stimulus cards were issued to again assist families and stimulate the local economy.
Secretary of Finance David DLG Atalig said approximately $2 million of the local stimulus was not utilized by the recipients and the funds reverted to the CNMI government.
Senator Deleon Guerrero said the “forfeited first local stimulus funds of $500 per taxpayer should be reconsidered and be redistributed to those who lost the funds as a result of the deadline.”
Edith Deleon Guerrero
