Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Treasury Department is confirming they will start releasing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by December.

This was corroborated in a statement issued yesterday by Treasurer Malemo Tausaga.

“The Tax Office will conduct a review and identify all qualified taxpayers for the EITC.

“You do not have to do anything else or file any additional documents. The Tax Office will also be performing outreach programs so you may have a better understanding of the EITC.

“We anticipate a release [of funds] for all eligible and qualified taxpayers in the beginning of December.”

The Treasurer asks members of the public to be patient as they try and “figure out all the necessary steps to be undertaken” to ensure a successful release of the funds.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) law was approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Acting Governor Talauega E. Ale on Friday, September 23, 2022.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE EITC?

“Low moderate income workers with qualifying children may be eligible to claim the EITC if certain qualifying rules apply to them.

“To qualify, for EITC you must have worked and earned income under $34,904.00 for Married Couples Filing Jointly and $29,904 for all other filing statuses.

“Have investment income below $10,000 in the tax year 2021. “Have a valid Social Security Number by the due date of your 2021 return including extension. Be a U.S citizen or national, an American Samoa legal resident alien with a Valid As Immigration ID.”

According to Malemo’s memorandum, earned income includes all the taxable income and wages you get from working for someone else, yourself or from a business or farm you own.

TYPES OF EARNED INCOME

“Wages, salary or tips where [American] Samoa income taxes are withheld on form w-2AS, box2; income from a job where your employer didn’t withhold a tax such as gig economy work including, driving a car for booked rides or delivered; running errands or doing tasks; selling good online; providing creative or professional services; providing other temporary, on demand freelance work; money made from self employment, including if you; own or operate a business or farm; are a minister or member of a religions order; are a statutory employee and have a income; benefits from a union strike and certain disability benefits you got before you were the minimum retirement age.”

Furthermore the memo states that earned income does not include pay you got for work when you were an inmate in a penal institution; interest and  dividends; pensions and annuities; Social Security; unemployment benefit; alimony and child support.

Please refer to the PDF copy of the full memorandum available on our website www.samoanews.com