Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) has said that he expects the NT$6000 (US$199.71) tax rebate will be issued by April at the earliest.

On Jan. 4, former Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said the government would distribute NT$140 billion out of last year's surplus tax revenue to the public in the form of NT$6,000 cash payments per person.

On his first day as premier, Chen met with Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (游錫堃) along with Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦,) according to UDN. Following the meeting, Chen outlined the process for issuing the rebates.

He said a meeting will be held on or around Feb. 17, after which there will be a vote and a presidential announcement. The Cabinet will then propose a budget, before passing this to the Legislature for review.

According to Chen, forecasting suggested the earliest this can be completed would be April.

Some non-Taiwanese will be eligible to receive the NT$6,000 rebate, with the Cabinet confirming on Jan. 12 that qualified foreign residents will also be eligible for NT$6,000 tax surplus payments.