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More American Samoa tax refunds to go out in the mail on Wednesday

ASG Treasurer Ueligitone P. Tonumaipe’a
2019 taxes filing deadline: July 15, 2020
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The ASG Treasury Department is releasing via the US mail on Wednesday, Apr. 29, the 2019 tax filing for those who filed as of Feb. 5 — an amount totaling more than $1.86 million.

The release of refunds included in Batch number 8, was announced by Treasury Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a in a brief statement last Thursday.

Of the total refund checks — $668,097 is for local and nearly $1.20 million for the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), which is funded by the US Internal Revenue Service.

With Batch #8, that brings the total amount of refunds released so far into the local economy to more than $6.21 million — with just over $4.01 million in ACTC and more than $2.20 million in local refunds, said Tonumaipe’a.

To assist with tracking refunds, Tonumaipe’a reminds taxpayers to always keep in mind their filing date, as disbursement of checks is based on this information.

According to the ASG Treasurer, all tax refund checks will be mailed to taxpayer’s mailing addresses as listed on their tax return filed. For those with general delivery addresses and those without mailing addresses, checks will be disbursed by appointment only.

Taxpayers are advised to contact the Disbursing Office at 633-4155 for more information. The taxpayers are advised to have their tax return information available to verify identify when calling.

Samoa News reminds taxpayers of what Tonumaipe’a announced earlier this month, as there are new complaints from taxpayers.

“As many families may use a single mail box, please note that any willful act to cash or use a tax refund check issued to another taxpayer will be subject to the full extent of the law,” Tonumaipe’a warned.  “If you receive a tax refund check in error, please return the refund check to the Post Office or to the Department of Treasury Tax Office.”

Tonumaipe’a encouraged all taxpayers who have not filed their 2019 tax returns to file as soon as possible.

Of note: These filings will also be used as the basis to determine eligibility for the stimulus funding included under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020.

He said the ASG Treasury would issue more guidance and clarification of this matter in the near future. ASG Treasury has already extended the 2019 tax filing deadline from Apr. 15th to July 15th. (See Samoa News edition Mar. 31st for details.)