tax refunds

I got a refund a couple weeks ago for my 2009 tax return.

When I went into the BIR in 2010 to get my Tax Clearance Letter to renew my Real Estate License, they had insisted I owed some additional amount in taxes from 2009 and even though I knew I didn't, I paid the demanded amount so I could get my license issued. Now, years later they issued a refund for that amount plus interest because they finally sorted out their mistake. It was nice to see the check as I'd long since figured that $$ was gone forever, but of course it's a bit irritating to pay extra when you know you don't owe it to begin with.

If they've also started issuing refunds for 2010, they must really be on a roll! Maybe they can finally get my ex's estate settled if the BIR ever comes up with a final amount for his income taxes from the year he died. It's a terrible shame when the only thing holding up probate is that the BIR can't finalize a tax return from several years ago!

June 11, 2012: Still waiting on 2010, and of course, 2011.

A "newbie" friend who took up permanent residence and filed her 2011 tax return here mentioned the other day that she hadn't heard anything about her refund and was planning on calling the IRB to see how long she'd have to wait for it ...

About a month ago I got my 07 return..then two weeks later got my 08n return...fingers crossed for 09and 10 to get here sooN

I learned long ago, from this message board, that you always want to owe "them". Worked well for me!

Don't hold your breath.

From http://stcroixsource.com/content/news/local-news/2012/06/19/vi-answer-desk-irb-stonewalls-about-tax-refunds

V.I. Answer Desk: IRB Stonewalls About Tax Refunds

By Lynda Lohr — June 19, 2012

We’d like to answer St. Thomas resident Renata Platenberg’s Answer Desk question concerning when she’s likely to see her 2010 and 2011 income tax refunds, but after nearly a week of trying, we weren’t able to pry the answer out of the Internal Revenue Bureau.

First we tried IRB attorney Tammy Smalls. She usually answers questions from the media but she passed this one along to Director Claudette Watson-Anderson. No answer. After we tried again another day, the operator put us through to Deputy Director Richard Prendergast because she said Watson-Anderson was out of the office for much of the day.

No luck. Prendergast said to call Watson-Anderson, and he’d leave a message and send an email. Still no answer but the Source kept trying. And on one of those days last week, no one answered the phone, and on another, the phone wouldn’t connect. Still we persevered.

Still no answer by the end of the week. This brings us to this week. The operator at the St. Thomas office said Monday that Watson-Anderson was gone for much of the day but she was expected back. She didn’t return the message.

Tuesday, the operator said Watson-Anderson was in the St. Croix office. She connected us through. After learning who was calling and what we wanted, the person who answered the phone in what was presumably Watson-Anderson’s office said she was busy and would have to call back.

This was around 9:15 a.m. We called the St. Thomas main number three times later that afternoon, but no one answered the phone.

So we’re left to advise Platenberg, and all those other people waiting for their refunds, not to hold their breath. Just like the answers to our phone calls, they might come some day.

boy friend got his refund (2010) about two weeks ago. not sure why he got his and not one else did. hes not special. ( well he is but not as far as IRB concerned} lol

One friend got his 2007 two weeks ago and another got his 2009 last week. They are sending them out but it seems there is no reason behind how.

i wonder if i will ever see my revised refund from many years ago-2007 or 2008. goodness knows i might never see 2009, 2010 or 2011.

I got my 2010 about two weeks ago.

The IRB is governed by the rules of the IRS......The IRS prides itself on the "Voluntary tax system" this is the number for a Taxpayer Advocate in the U.S. 1-877-777-4778.

A taxpayer advocate is an employee of the IRS who is hired to work on behalf of the taxpayers. If you call, use terms like they are undermining the "Voluntary Tax System" request that your copmplaint be elevated to a higher level and DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!!!! If you are not satisfied, request that your complaint be taken to the congressional level and again do not take no for an answer. Just call everyday and give the number to anyone who will use it. Until we draw attention to this issue, it will not be resolved. If enough people call, maybe the pressure from complaints will be enough to make the territory pay up.

From time to time the IRS comes down and spanks the IRB.....They did it in 08' and we had a couple of good years....They are begining to stray again.....The threat of losing control of those funds is all it will take for the territory to get their act together....IMHO.....

I'm not living there yet but....ran across this news site for STX and they want people to bring their complaints to their attention
news contact

Perhaps it's worth a try.