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ASG Treasury delays third release of stimulus checks to Fri., Aug. 7th

ASG Treasurer Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a
However, Batch #13 of tax refunds to be released Friday, July 31
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — While the ASG Treasury is delaying the third release of the Economic Impact Payments (EIP), or stimulus checks for qualified local residents “due to some unforeseen circumstances,” the department is releasing tomorrow more than $590,000 in tax refund checks for Batch #13, according to ASG Treasurer Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a.

Samoa News had previously reported — based on information from the ASG Treasury — that the third-round of the EIP checks was expected to be released July 31st, for the rest of local residents who qualify for the federally funded program.

And for the past several days, there have been many inquiries to Samoa News as to whether it will still happen as there are those who claim to be qualified — after filing taxes for tax years 2018 and 2019 — didn’t get a stimulus checks during the release of the first two rounds, as well as the special release, of stimulus checks.

STIMULUS CHECKS

In a statement late yesterday morning, Tonumaipe’a explained that preparations were ongoing for the release of the third round on July 31st. However, “as a result of the higher than expected number of qualified non-filers,” the 3rd release will include 2019 filers up to June 30, 2020 and any prior tax returns that have been corrected since the last EIP release.

“Therefore, release of the third round of EIPs will be pushed back to Aug. 7th,” he said, noting that all July tax filings will be batched as a 4th EIP release dependent on the approval for additional EIP funds request pending with the US Department of Treasury.

Additional details on the quantity and amount of the release will be forthcoming when finalized, he said and apologizes to the public for any inconvenience.

BATCH #13 REFUND CHECKS

In a separate statement yesterday, Tonumaipe’a said Batch #13 for tax refunds — taxpayers who filed between June 2 and June 30th — will be released in the mail tomorrow, Friday, July 31st — for those with mailing addresses.

For taxpayers without mailing addresses, they can pick up their checks at the Treasury’s Disbursing Office on the ground floor of the A.P Executive Office Building in Utulei.

Taxpayers are reminded that the territory is still operating under the COVID-19 emergency declaration, therefore, social distancing and face-masks are highly encouraged, said Tonumaipe’a.

Total tax refund batch #13 is $596,581 — with $364,003 in local refunds and $232,578 under the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) funded by the US Internal Revenue Service.

With the Batch #13, total refunds issued to date is more than $14.64 million — going into the local economy.

If you were expecting your tax refund but didn’t get it in the mail or with the Disbursing Office, please visit the Tax Office and have the following documents on hand so Tax Office can provide service expeditiously:

•     copy of your tax return

•     a valid form of identification

•     your social security card — and for your spouse if married filing jointly.