The Ministry of Digital Affairs yesterday said it is mulling a plan to wire NT$6,000 (US$202) tax rebates to the bank accounts of financially disadvantaged people, such as those receiving farmers’ subsidies.
The announcement came after Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers urged the government to offer alternative means of collecting the handout to disadvantaged people and those living in rural areas.
The ministry said that it is working with other government agencies to determine people who fit the criteria.
Photo: Hung Mei-hsiu, Taipei Times
The Executive Yuan on Jan. 12 approved a draft plan to allocate NT$380 billion in surplus tax revenue from last year to nine expenditure items, including the one-time cash handout of NT$6,000, totaling NT$180 billion, to be handed out to Taiwanese and eligible foreign residents.
People would be able to apply for the handout online, withdraw it from ATMs, or collect it from post offices.
The Ministry of Finance said it would facilitate updates to the ATM systems at state-owned banks so that people could withdraw the handout at about 80 percent of such ATMs nationwide.
The digital ministry said details would be clarified once the Legislative Yuan reviews the special budget for the handouts.
The remaining NT$200 billion would go toward the labor and health insurance funds, Taiwan Power Co and public transportation.
Citing the Financial Supervisory Commission, the finance ministry said that residents of Pingtung County’s Shizi Township (獅子) and Hualien County’s Wanrong Township (萬榮) cannot make withdrawals at post office counters, but have access to ATMs.
The only location in Taiwan without ATMs or post office service is Taitung County’s Jinfong Township (金峰), the digital ministry said, adding that the Executive Yuan is drafting a plan to distribute the money to township residents.
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