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‘Release the rebates of Reserve members now’
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Posted on Jul 11 2008
Lawmakers have urged the Department of Finance to release the CNMI tax refund or rebate checks of the U.S. Army Reserve members who have been called to active duty.
About 80 local Army reservists will leave in batches early next week to undergo one month of military training at Fort Liggett in California. They are expected to deployed to the Middle East for one year shortly after the training.
The House of Representatives said in a resolution that, although the Army Reserve members will be paid by the U.S. government during their tour of duty, there may be a gap in compensation during the deployment transition phase.
The House also noted that many of the reservists have not received their CNMI refund or rebate checks for 2007 and previous tax years. The release of the checks now will help them and their families at this time, especially with the rising cost of gas, electrical power, and basic goods and commodities.
“The Reserve members should not be saddled with additional stress of financial obligations and family uncertainties while serving their tour of duty in the global war on terrorism,” stated the resolution.
The lawmakers suggested that the rebate or refund checks be released upon presentation of an Army Reserve member’s involuntary call-up to active duty order.
The Department of Finance has said recently that the 2007 income tax returns are now being processed. About $10 million to $15 million in CNMI tax rebates will be released in the next 60 days, based on the processing of filed 2007 tax returns.
“We are … keeping Governor Fitial’s commitment to the timely release of local CNMI refunds and rebates,” said Finance Secretary Eloy S. Inos. The Fitial administration began releasing local tax rebates last Christmas after receiving an additional $26 million in federal cover over funds. The administration has reserved a total of $32 million in federal cover over funds for the release of CNMI rebate and refunds according to CNMI law.
