Joel A. Lee, director of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue (Bureau), advises the general public of the conclusion of the collection efforts for those taxpayers who received a duplicate Economic Impact Payment, also known as the stimulus check, from the Puerto Rico Tax office. The Bureau will accept checks and money orders for repayment of those duplicate payments up until Dec. 31.
Effective Jan. 1, 2021, any taxpayer who has received a duplicate stimulus payment must follow the instructions provided by the Government of Puerto Rico, Department of Hacienda, which is as follows:
- Access the Unified Internal Revenue System (“SURI” for its Spanish acronym) through https://suri.hacienda.pr.gov and from the main page, without logging in, press the link Economic Impact Payment (CARES Act).
- Select the option of Returning the Economic Impact Payment.
- Follow the system instructions and complete all the requested information. To complete the return request, you must include the social security number of the individual or taxpayer who received the erroneous payment. In addition, you must submit the bank information from which the department will debit the funds.
- Once the return of the erroneous payment has been submitted, the system will provide you with a confirmation number. We encourage you to keep this number for your records.
Taxpayers can also call (787) 620-2323 and speak to a Customer Service representative.
The Bureau thanks all Virgin Islands residents who recognized the error and returned the duplicate payments immediately. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2021, the Bureau will not be able to assist any taxpayer who has received a duplicate payment from the Puerto Rico tax office.