One-time Economic Impact Payment (EIP) checks could be sent out as early as next week for qualifying Guam residents.
The federal government sent Guam’s Department of Revenue and Taxation nearly $108 million, out of the island’s total approved allotment of $134.8 million, for the one-time stimulus checks.
The approximately $27 million will come at a later date, once payments have begun on Guam.
In an in-depth interview with K57’s Patti Arroyo Thursday morning, Dafne Shimizu, the Director of Rev and Tax, detailed how the EIP check roll-out will unfold.
Shimizu addressed how they will be determining eligible residents. First, they’re looking for filed and processed 2019 returns and if those aren’t available, then 2018 filings.
She provided details from the guidelines the IRS and Guam DRT have agreed to:
“If you have already filed your return for 2019 and Guam DRT has processed a valid 2019 individual tax return at the time of certification of the EIP to be paid, then Guam DRT shall determine based on the individual’s 2019 Guam tax return, the amount of the EIP, that the individual would be allowed. If an eligible individual has not filed a 2019 Guam tax return, or if filed and Guam DRT has not processed the individual’s 2019 Guam income tax return at the time of certification of the EIP to be paid but has filed a valid 2018 individual income tax return that Guam DRT has processed, then Guam DRT shall determine based on the individual’s 2018 tax return.”
With regards to the “certification of the EIP” cut off, Shimizu said that date has not yet been set.
“What we’re talking about is, at the time for example, that we begin making our mass payments. So, in this next coming week, when we determine that we’ve calculated, or we’ve gone through the process of calculating the payments that are going to go out, that’s actually what’s meant by certification.”
So in theory, residents who file their 2019 taxes immediately and have them processed by the cut-off date, their EIP checks could be based on 2019 taxes.
The DRT Director said the CARES Act allows for these stimulus payments to be made up to December 31, 2020.
Therefore, anyone who has still not filed their 2019 tax return, and has no 2018 tax filings on Guam, will receive their check when their 2019 taxes are processed.
Individual filers who made less than $75,000 in either 2018 or 2019, will be receiving $1200 in stimulus money. Couples who filed jointly and made less than a combined $150,000 will receive a check for $2400.
Another $500 will be paid out for each qualifying dependent child.
The amount of stimulus money will be adjusted and lessened for those residents who made more than $75,000 in the applicable tax year.
Shimizu also explained they will be starting from the most recent filings (2019), in terms of the order they’ll be using to print the checks.
“So, [we’ll] be first taking a look at 2019 filed, and if it’s been validly filed and processed and we have it in our system. If there is none [2019 return for the qualifying resident] then we go back and look at 2018.”
As for how many checks will possibly be sent out next week, Shimizu only said they’re working as fast as they can, keeping in mind the sudden rush to banks that can happen when these checks are received. She said they’re working efficiently while respecting that social distancing will be a factor for banks to process the payments.
If a resident doesn’t typically file taxes, for example, because they fall below the filing income-threshold, the Department of Rev and Tax has made Non-Filer Forms available.
Shimizu said they worked with the Mayors’ Council to make the forms easily accessible at various Mayors’ offices.
“I talked to the Mayor’s Council Executive Director, Angel Sablan, and they’ve agreed to have forms available at our mayor’s offices,” said Shimizu.”
“We’re so grateful for their help to serve the community.”
Alternatively, the Non-Filer Form can be found online at www.guamtax.com, where residents can download and print it.
Once the form is filled out, DRT is asking residents to place it in the dropbox, outside the Barrigada Rev and Tax office.
Shimizu said Guam DRT will be sending out the checks for all Social Security, Disability and VA recipients as well (SSA/RRB/VA/SSI recipients).
She said the only garnishment DRT will make from these checks, is for any child support owed, as dictated by the Attorney General’s office.
If you have further questions, you’re being encouraged to call the Department of Revenue and Taxation at: 635-1840/41/42/57 and 635-7603/04/06 or, send them an email at: guameip@revtax.guam.gov.
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