CHRISTIANSTED — One of ten women who participated in a tax fraud scheme that stole Virgin Islanders’ tax refunds got two years in prison from a federal judge. Joanne Benjamin, 41, of St. Croix, was sentenced on Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge Wilma Lewis to twenty-four months incarceration followed by three years of supervised […]
Tag: Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Ringleader of Mother-Daughter Tax Fraud Scheme Gets 10 Months In Prison
CHRISTIANSTED — The ringleader of a mother-and-daughter tax fraud scheme was given two more months in prison than her daughter by a federal judge. Patricia Henry, 52, was sentenced Friday to ten months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Wilma Lewis on one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States for her part […]
Woman Faces 10 Years In Prison After Admitting To Stealing $17K In Tax Refunds
CHRISTIANSTED — A woman who used fake IDs and filed multiple tax returns faces 10 years in prison after a guilty plea in federal court on Friday, authorities said. Nicolette Alexander, 29, from the U.S. Virgin Islands pled guilty in U.S. District Court in Golden Rock to conspiracy to defraud the United States, U.S. Attorney […]
Make Sure Your Earning Records Are Correct With Social Security’s Online Portal
Accurate earnings records are vital to the Social Security Administration and to every worker in the United States. If Social Security cannot match the name and Social Security number (SSN) reported on a W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, to its records, the agency cannot credit the earnings to that worker’s record. When earnings are missing, […]
USVI Parents To Get $3,000 To $3,600 Per Child Starting In Summer From Rescue Act
WASHINGTON — USVI parents will soon get cash benefits from the USA COVID-19 Rescue Act. The U.S. Virgin Islands is included in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act that includes payments to parents with children under the age of 18. The provisions of that Act will increase the child tax credit to $3,000 per […]
Forward-Thinking Puerto Rico Government Begins Sending Out $600 Federal Stimulus Checks
SAN JUAN — The Puerto Rico government has started sending out the first of the $600 federal stimulus checks to local residents, which should be immediately reflected in people’s bank accounts. Governor Pedro Pierluisi said the first checks were sent out on Tuesday, with many more to follow. “There is no doubt that this assistance […]
BIR Divvies Up Income Tax Refunds In Dribs And Drabs Just In Time For Christmas
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Governor Albert Bryan announced that a second round of income tax refunds was disbursed this month, for a total of more than $15 million in December. On Monday, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) sent out 3,550 refund checks totaling $10,210,766. Last week, the BIR sent out 1,100 refund checks totaling $5 million. […]
Will Republicans And Democrats Sign Off On A 2nd Stimulus Check By Dec. 31?
WASHINGTON — Time is running out for the U.S. government to approve a second coronavirus relief package. So where does that leave Americans anxiously awaiting a second federal stimulus check — the cash payments that were distributed earlier this year? There are signs that a scaled-down deal might be in the works, although the popular […]
Deadline For Filing Tax Return In Order To Qualify For Stimulus Check Is October 15, BIR Says
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) reminded territorial residents of the availability of the federal stimulus payment of $1,200 for individual or head of household filers, and $2,400 for married residents who file joint returns. In accordance with the IRS regulations, the deadline to file a return to receive this […]
Governor Bryan Says He Needs Your Stimulus Check Back … If You Got 2 Checks Instead of 1
CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. has issued further clarification regarding Puerto Rico’s Department of Treasury, known as “Hacienda,” issuing Social Security stimulus payments to Virgin Islands residents by direct deposit, resulting in some Virgin Islanders receiving double stimulus payments and creating confusion for residents of the territory. “Several months ago, monies were made […]