The value of tax refund checks that have been released so far, which includes refunds distributed Friday, is $35, 941,007.
Of that total $32,023,856 is covered by the US Treasury through the various credits, while $3,917,151 is paid by ASG.
This is according to a report that Acting Tax Office Manager Tim Mauga distributed Friday at a hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee.
A total of 6,467 tax payers were issued their refunds in the first three batches while 869 received their refunds in the batch distributed Friday.
Mauga explained that US Treasury remits funds for the federal credits based on reports from the calendar year 2024 returns.
If there’s an overage ASG would seek a reimbursement.
Mauga said based on the number of filers for the first three months, it’s anticipated that there will be an increase in total number of tax filers this year.
It was explained that some people expected higher refunds based on tax returns prepared by private tax filers. However the returns go through a thorough review by the Tax Office staff where discrepancies are found and the refund amounts were adjusted accordingly.
Mauga, Acting Treasurer Carri-lee Magalei-Tulafono and Tolofua Uaea of the Tax Office were witnesses at the House hearing.
