Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Treasurer Donald Kruse issued a notice to the public, yesterday, via a media release, about tax refunds for the calendar year 2024.

In his notice, the Treasurer states that “tax refunds will be issued on a first come first serve basis.” He in particular points out that “early requests and expedited release of tax refunds will not be accept to ensure fairness for all and to prevent unnecessary delays.”

Kruse says a “notice will be issued once the first batch of tax refunds is released.”

No update on tax refunds for 2023 that some in the public are saying are still outstanding, was included in the press release.

The Lemanu Administration’s Treasurer during a Senate hearing last year had said that he had been releasing tax refunds due to special requests, i.e. fa’alavelaves — saying it was his ‘love’ for the people that motivated him to answer their needs. At the time, there was a public uproar about tax refunds for 2023 still being outstanding for many.

Samoa News should point out that the “unfairness” of early release of tax refunds is not a new issue, with the public often grumbling about delays.