With St. Thomas Carnival festivities already underway, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has locked in the administrative leave schedule for government workers and announced that more than $5 million in income tax refunds have been issued to Virgin Islands residents.
2024 Administrative Leave for Virgin Islands Carnival
On the following dates during the Carnival season, government employees will be granted administrative leave, and Virgin Islands government offices will be closed:
Wednesday, May 1: Food Fair — All non-essential executive branch employees on the islands of St. Thomas-St. John will be granted administrative leave from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, May 2: J’ouvert — All non-essential executive branch employees on the islands of St. Thomas-St. John will be granted administrative leave from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, May 3: Children’s Parade — All non-essential executive branch employees territory-wide will be granted administrative leave from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More Than $5 Million in Income Tax Refunds Issued
Approximately $5,161,033 in income tax refunds have been issued to residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands. This latest distribution will benefit 1,548 tax filers who have dutifully submitted their returns and are due refunds, Bryan announced Thursday.
“This release of funds underscores our administration’s commitment to the financial well-being of the Virgin Islands community,” said Bryan. “We are dedicated to ensuring that taxpayers receive the refunds they are owed in a timely manner.”
The breakdown of the refunds is as follows:
- $911,386 to 200 filers for tax years 2018 and prior
- $297,549 to 105 filers for tax year 2019
- $2,784,533 to 982 filers for tax year 2020
- $1,167,565 to 261 filers for tax year 2021
These refunds cover filings up to the deadline of April 19, 2022, for the 2021 tax year, according to the press release.
It is important to note that refunds issued for filings prior to 2021 are largely attributable to later filings or filings that have only recently been resolved, often due to audits, the press release stated.
The Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Finance Department have worked diligently to process refunds efficiently and will continue to ensure that all taxpayers receive their due refunds as swiftly as possible, the release stated.
“We are committed to fiscal responsibility and to serving the hard-working people of the Virgin Islands,” concluded Bryan. “My administration is focused on improving every facet of our financial management to better the lives of our citizens.”
For more information on the status of your refund, taxpayers are encouraged to contact the Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue directly at 340-773-1040 or 340-715-1040.
