Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Another round of tax refund checks — totaling more than $2 million — is scheduled for release today, Wednesday, Aug. 17, providing more cash infusion into the local economy, with parents increasing purchases for back-to-school items for their children when schools resume in the coming weeks.

In a brief statement issued Monday afternoon, ASG Acting Treasurer, Levi Reese announced that the 18th and 19th batches of tax refunds for just over 900 tax payers who filed on Apr. 12 to May 01, would receive their tax refund checks on Aug. 17.

According to Treasury, the tax refunds will be distributed through direct deposit, by mail and for those who don’t have a mailing address on their tax returns, they will be able pick up refunds at the Treasury Disbursing Office on the ground floor of the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building (EOB).

“Due to the ANZ Bank closing in the upcoming month, all taxpayers expecting refunds to be direct deposited, will receive their checks in paper form in the mail and/ or pick up at the Disbursing Office,” said Treasury.

Of the total tax refunds of more than $2.63 million released today, $821,956 is paid from locally collected funds and more than $1.80 million from the Additional Child Tax Credit, which is funded by the US Internal Revenue Service.

If you are expecting a tax refund and did not receive it, call the Tax Office for further information and assistance, but don’t visit the office.

The Treasury statement reminds those picking up their checks at the Disbursing Office that social distancing and wearing a face mask is strictly enforced at the EOB.

Parents and guardians of school-age children, expecting refund checks are pleased to get this additional money that some parents told Samoa News will go towards expenses for children before the new school year starts. The expenses, said parents, include shoes, backpacks and school uniforms — for which the costs have gone up.

TAX OFFICE CLOSED FRIDAY

In a separate statement also issued Monday afternoon, ASG Treasury announced that the Tax Office will be closed on Friday, Aug. 19, “due to the funeral services of one of its long- serving employees”.

“Please make arrangements with the Tax Office for any scheduled payments or appointments planned for this day. We apologize for the inconvenience,” said Treasury.