Latest payout will cover refunds owed for tax year 2020 and brings Territory closer to paying tax refunds owed to filers in the same year they filed their returns
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — During the weekly Government House briefing on Monday, June 6, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. Announced that the Bryan-Roach Administration will distribute another $25 million round of income tax refunds, which will cover refunds from tax year 2020 and keep the Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI) on track to bring the Bureau of Internal Revenue current so tax filers begin receiving their refunds in the same year they file their tax returns for the first time in the history of the GVI.
For the last three years, the Bryan-Roach Administration has allocated funding to fund the payout of years of past due tax refunds to V.I. residents to fulfill its commitment to making residents whole and paying what was owed to them by the government. With that goal in mind, the Administration has included in its executive budgets funding of $25 million per quarter to pay income tax refunds.
“When we first took office in 2019, the average Virgin Islander was owed income tax refunds by our government from tax year 2016. Once taking office, we committed to ensuring all tax-paying Virgin Islanders owed a refund would get their money,” Governor Bryan said. “We set out to ensure that our government would never again find itself in a position to make the tough decision about whether to refund taxpayers what was owed to them or make payroll.
“We stabilized the finances of the government by tightening our belt where we needed to most and used those savings not to do what would be politically popular, or what we thought was going to look good for us come this election cycle but to do what was best for our people—all working-class Virgin Islanders,” the Governor said. “In short, we did the responsible thing. We budgeted to pay down our bills, and our Virgin Islands are better today for it.”
Aliyah Boston Day
Governor Bryan also thanked the community for coming out on Saturday, June 4, to celebrate “Aliyah Boston Day” with a sign-unveiling at King Airport on St. Thomas, a parade and a brief ceremony honoring the NCAA Women’s Basketball All-American and national champion.
“I want to thank the entire Virgin Islands community for joining us this past weekend to celebrate Aliyah Boston Day. Whether you joined us in person in St. Thomas or virtually, I want to say thank you. Words cannot express the immense gratitude I feel toward each of you for taking the time out Saturday to welcome Aliyah Back home,” Governor Bryan said. “I had an exciting time celebrating Aliyah’s accomplishments with her family, and all of you and I know Tregenza had a blast as well. I want to thank Aliyah’s family, her team of representatives, and all the young Virgin islanders who showed up to show love to Aliyah.”
Michelle Smith
Governor Bryan also took note of another successful athlete and track-star-in-the-making, Michelle Smith, who won gold in the Under-17 800-meters at the CARIFTA Games. She also had a record-breaking gold medal performance in the 400-meter hurdles and received a silver medal in the 100-meter hurdles.
“The CARIFTA Games are usually dominated by the Jamaicans and Bahamians. It is where the Usain Bolts and Shaunee Millers are first discovered on the world stage. So, we congratulate Michelle Smith for putting the Virgin Islands back on the track & field map and for the bright future she has ahead of her,” the Governor said.
Governor Bryan also congratulated Michelle’s coaches, the Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation, and the V.I. Olympic Committee for helping her to eventually meet her full potential. Michelle’s next big competition is the World Athletics U20 Championship which will be in Cali, Columbia, August 1-6, 2022.
Juneteenth
The Governor also reminded government employees that Juneteenth – which became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law –
Falls on Sunday, June 19, and will be celebrated in the Territory on Monday, June 20.
“Here in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with our own storied history of fighting for our freedom, we are joining the nation in pridefully celebrating this national holiday. On Monday, June 20, all our non-essential government agencies and offices will be closed on that day,” Governor Bryan said.
COVID-19 cases as of June 6
- 11.72% seven-day positivity rate
- Currently tracking 627 active cases (452 STX; 131 STT; 44 STJ)
- 427,093 tested
- 20,209 tested positive
- 406,864 tested negative
- 114 COVID-19-related fatalities
- There is 1 COVID-19 patient hospitalized, not on a ventilator, at Luis Hospital on St. Croix.
- There are 6 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, with none on a ventilator, at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas.
More COVID-19 information
Anyone who thinks they may have contracted COVID-19 can call the Epidemiology hotline at 340-712-6299 (STX) or 340-776-1519 (STT-STJ). For more information, visit covid19usvi.com.
For information about the COVID-19 vaccines or to schedule an appointment to get vaccinated, call the VITEMA hotline Mondays-Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 340-777-VACS (8227).
Pediatric boosters
Pediatric booster shots for children ages 5-11 are now available. Please bring an ID for the parent or guardian, as well as the child’s ID and a copy of the birth certificate.
Pediatric boosters are available:
St. Croix – At the CVC at the Charles Harwood Complex from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays.
St. Thomas – At the Maternal and Child Health Clinic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.
St. John – At the V.I. Port Authority gravel lot from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays.
Home testing
Positive test results from a home COVID-19 test should be confirmed, and confirmation is absolutely necessary if medical therapeutic treatment with an oral antiviral or monoclonal antibodies is to be prescribed.
Confirmation testing can be arranged by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 340-712-6299 on St. Croix or 340-776-1519 on St. Thomas. The hotline is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and testing appointments can be made online at http://www.Covid19USVI.com/testing.
Free Vaccinations
The Community Vaccination Center (CVC) at Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday-Friday and on Wednesdays on St. John at the V.I. Port Authority gravel lot.
Free vaccinations at the CVC at the Charles Harwood Complex on St. Croix are available by appointment, which can be made by calling 340-777-8227 or by going to http://www.covid19usvi.com/vaccines. Walk-ins also are available.
The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov