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Feds approve stimulus plan for American Samoa — distribution soon

ASG Treasurer Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The US Treasury and the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have approved American Samoa’s implementation plan for the disbursement and distribution of the stimulus payments to local qualified tax payer under provisions of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

ASG Treasurer Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a announced in a brief statement late Monday the federal approval saying that ASG Treasury, expects “to be able to disburse these funds within two weeks after the funds arrive on island and all relevant logistical needs are met.”

On behalf of Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga and the people of American Samoa, ASG Treasury expresses its sincere gratitude to US President Donald Trump, US Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin, US Congress and all those involved in reviewing and approving American Samoa’s implementation plan, Tonumaipe’a said.

BACKGROUND

Tonumaipe’a said at a previous ASG coronavirus task force meeting, that once the plan is approved the IRS will advance 90% or about $29.4 million of the total $32.7 million allocated for American Samoa’s stimulus checks.

The ASG Treasury information sheet released last Friday provides a summary of who qualifies for a stimulus check. For example, a single adult with a Social Security number and adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less.  For married couples filing joint returns, the income limit to receive a stimulus check is $150,000.

However, single filers who make more than $99,000 and joint filers with income exceeding $198,000 are not eligible for stimulus payments, nor are those over 17 who are claimed as dependents by their parents (which includes many college-aged people).

As to the amount of the stimulus check, it’s up to $1,200 for a single filer and married couples will receive up to $2,400, “though the exact amount depends on your income,” said Treasury.  Adults will also receive an additional $500 for every qualifying child.

ASG emphasized that it’s the IRS that determines eligibility through the latest tax return or a 2019 Social Security statement that shows income if you have not filed taxes for 2018 or 2019.

In accordance with the governor’s Fourth Amended Declaration on COVID-19, checks will be issued and disbursed through the US mail.  (See Samoa News edition May 4th for details.) Questions or inquiries on stimulus checks can be sent to: <stimulus@tr.as.gov>