Finance: ‘We’re not holding off rebates’

The Department of Finance on Friday assured taxpayers anew of timely payment of rebates and refunds by the government amid speculations that it is intentionally delaying release of the checks due to lack of funds.

In a statement, finance officials said over 28,000 taxpayers have already received their rebates amounting to nearly $20 million since last month when the Division of Revenue and Taxation mailed out the first batch of checks.

Another group of 3,000 recipients are expected to have their checks this week, which were sent out by the division last Friday, according to the department.

The statement was issued by DOF to quash speculations that the department sent notices to taxpayers regarding deficiencies in their income tax returns in a deliberate attempt to hold off payment of rebates and refunds.

“While they acknowledge that a few of these letters may be the result of data entry error, there is no deceitful scheme occurring to delay giving taxpayers their refunds and rebate,” it explained.

“To the contrary, the (division) has been doing their very best to ensure that taxpayers receive their refunds and rebate as soon as possible,” DOF added.

Hundreds of people have flocked to the Division of Revenue and Taxation office in Dandan since two weeks ago after receiving the letters about problems on their income tax returns.

DOF has asked them to provide additional information or to correct the deficiencies found in the returns prior to payment of the rebates.

The letters include requests for the taxpayer’s social security number, or his spouse and/or dependents as well as clarification in the wage and salary level which differs from what is processed in the department’s information system.

“For those taxpayers receiving any of these letters, we encourage you to either mail in your response or come to the (division ) to address your concern so that your return may be processed as soon as possible,” said the statement.

Others who believe they have been singled out from receiving payment on time are also urged to write to the Finance Sec. Lucy DLG Nielsen for proper disposition of their case.

The government released rebate and refund checks in batches this year, starting with those who filed their income tax returns before March 31, 1999.

Finance officials project to cough out between $25 million to $28 million to meet its financial obligations to taxpayers covering tax year 1998.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has had to reassure the public on the ability of the government to meet its commitment to taxpayers as his administration has been delayed in paying rebates and refunds due to the financial difficulties confronting the CNMI over the past two years.