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Just in time for graduation season: Tax refunds will be disbursed Friday

ASG Treasurer, Uelinitone Tonumaipe’a
…For those who filed between Jan. 30 and Feb. 4
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The ASG Treasury Department will be releasing tomorrow, Friday, the next batch of tax refunds totaling nearly $3 million — including the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) - and it will be issued for the first time under the government’s accounts at ASG owned Territorial Bank of American Samoa (TBAS).

In a brief statement, ASG Treasurer Uelinitone Tonumaipe’a said tax refund checks — covering 1,719 taxpayers — are for those who filed between Jan. 30th and Feb. 4th

“If you filed within the aforementioned period and did not get your tax refund, please call  or visit the Tax Office and enquire with the Tax Office Customer Service,” he said. He advised all taxpayers to check with the Tax Office first, before standing in line at the Treasury Disbursing Office.

Long lines usually form after 5 am at the EOB when the public is expecting the issuance of tax refunds; and those who don't get their checks tend to become unhappy and voice complaints towards Tax Office or Disbursing employees.

Of the more than $2.98 million in total refunds set to be released tomorrow, over $1.94 million is for ACTC — which is funded by the US Internal Revenue Service — and just over $1.04 million for local.

“This will be the first batch of tax refunds that will be issued under ASG’s account with the Territorial Bank of American Samoa,” Tonumaipe’a points out.

ASG had in the past issued tax refunds through its accounts at Bank of Hawaii, which announced more than a week ago, that it would officially shut down remaining operations in the territory at the close of business on Aug. 16th. (See Samoa News May 15th edition for details.)

Last week BoH sent out official notices to its customers about the pending closure. Customers with personal accounts can continue banking with BoH online and through app service, or transfer to another local bank.

BoH noted that due to legal issues, they’re unable to accommodate business accounts being transferred to Honolulu.