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UPDATE: 2nd Child Tax Credit checks for eligible out this week

ASG Treasurer Malemo L. Tausaga
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The second payment for the Advance Child Tax Credit or the Advance CTC, funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to local qualified taxpayers, will be released this week.

ASG Treasurer Malemo L. Tausaga made the official announcement in a brief statement last Friday afternoon, and many local taxpayers who claim to be eligible to get a check are asking when the next payment will be released as schools will be out soon for the Christmas break and holiday shopping has begun for many parents.

According to the ASG Treasurer’s statement, taxpayers with qualifying children who filed from Jan. 1st to Oct. 31st this year will receive their Advance CTC payments on Wednesday, Dec. 8th. A total of close to 6,800 checks worth close to $14 million will be distributed through the mail and direct deposits.

Those without mailing addresses on their tax returns can pick up their checks at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium from 8a.m to 4p.m.  Social distancing and masks will be strictly enforced.

If you were expecting a payment and did not receive one, contact or visit the ASG Tax Office on the ground floor of the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building for assistance

Tax Office manager Vaaimamao E. Poufa told lawmakers in August that the Advance CTC will be made in two separate payments for this year with the other two payments coming next year.

The first payments for this year, totaling more than $13 million was distributed on Sept. 29th for 6,700 taxpayers with qualifying children who filed their 2020 American Samoa tax return from January 1st to July 31st of this year.

ASG Treasury, in a statement in September, explained that the qualifying age and amount for the two payments:

•        qualified dependents age 5 and under, qualifying for a total of $1,800. Eligible taxpayers would received two payments of $900; and

•        qualified dependents age 6 to 17 qualify for a total of 1,500. Eligible taxpayers will receive two payments of $750.

Furthermore, payments are subject to reduction based on higher income limitations.

For a taxpayer who wishes to opt out of receiving the Advance CTC this year, the person can fill out Form T15323 to un-enroll and will instead receive all payments next year after the 2021 American Samoa tax return is filed.

This form is found online at [www.americansamoa.gov/tax-office]. Information on direct-deposit forms is also available on this online link.