Cash Handout of $10,000 Confirmed for Next Year! Will It Become Regular? The Executive Yuan Responds

The Executive Yuan formally passed the 2027 central government budget today (20th). Both revenue and expenditure exceeded NT$3.9 trillion, breaking historical records. Included in the budget is President Lai Qingde's proposed 'AI Dividend for All—Universal Cash Handout of NT$10,000' policy, with a total budget allocation of NT$235.7 billion. It is now confirmed that every eligible citizen will receive NT$10,000 in cash next year. But will such cash disbursements become a regular occurrence in the future? Regarding the public's most pressing questions—'When can people receive the cash?', 'Will this become a regular policy?', and 'Why is there no means testing?'—the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) and the Ministry of Finance responded during a post-meeting press conference. Minister of Finance Chuang Tsui-yun explained that this cash handout is positioned as the 'sharing of AI dividends among all citizens.' Since the core concept is 'universal sharing,' the policy follows the approach of the previous two cash handouts and does not include any wealth-test thresholds—every eligible citizen can receive it. DGBAS Director-General Chen Shu-tzu emphasized that any future cash disbursement must strictly adhere to fiscal discipline, ensuring no increase in national debt, proper allocation of social welfare subsidies and major national infrastructure budgets, and sound financial sources. Notably, even the 'previous year's budget surplus' was not used for this disbursement. Minister Chuang stated that the NT$235.7 billion required for the cash handout has already been included in the 2027 central government budget. According to the Budget Act, after approval by the Executive Yuan, the budget will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for review. The subsequent timeline will fully respect the Legislative Yuan's budgetary review authority. Once the bill passes its third reading, the Ministry of Finance will swiftly plan the specific disbursement channels and distribution schedule. The 2027 revenue and expenditure both reached over NT$3.9 trillion, setting new historical highs. As such, the Executive Yuan has allocated NT$235.7 billion to promote the idea that the benefits of AI development should be shared by all citizens. Regarding the current status of the 2026 budget surplus, DGBAS Public Budget Division Director Hsu Yung-i pointed out that NT$85.7 billion from the 2026 surplus remains unspent. Should future pandemics or major emergencies arise, the government budget has sufficient flexibility to allow for supplementary or special budgets as needed. All borrowing amounts will strictly comply with the Public Debt Act and the Fiscal Discipline Act to ensure national fiscal stability.