April 17, 2001 — The Source has the when and where on filing V.I. tax returns, and the Internal Revenue Bureau has extended hours Tuesday as do two post offices on St. Thomas and St. Croix.
In a recent press release, the IRB announced extended hours on Tuesday, April 17, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., at their St. Croix and St. Thomas locations, to accommodate taxpayers who have waited to file their 2000 tax returns. Midnight Tuesday is the deadline.
In the statement, Willis reminded taxpayers if they are unable to file their 2000 returns by the due date, they must properly estimate the tax due and file a valid extension on Form 4868 by April 17.
The statement said that questions about the extended office hours can be directed to Joseph Walker on St. Croix at 773-1040, ext. 224, or Roosevelt Davis on St. Thomas at 714-9315 or 774-5865, ext. 221.
According to Postmaster Louis Jackson, mailed tax returns can be dropped off until midnight Tuesday at the Aubrey C. Ottley Post Office on St. Thomas and the Kingshill Post Office on St. Croix. With the proper postage, they will be postmarked April 17.
The address for mailed returns is: Bureau of Internal Revenue, 9601 Estate Thomas, Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands 00802.
But those seeking last-minute information Monday were out of luck if they tried calling IRB or going to the V.I. government's Web site.
Government offices were closed for Easter Monday; a recorded message at IRB's St. Thomas office informed callers who wanted "tax tips and information" to press 7. Doing so brought another message, that "no announcement has been recorded."
The St. Croix office's recorded message informed callers wanting tax information to press 5, which gave them a message that "this mailbox is full, please try again later."
The official Web site of the V.I. government has no information whatsoever on filing tax returns. Its Web page on the Internal Revenue Bureau contains the bureau's St. Thomas address, phone number and mission, which includes "the assessment and collection of taxes due the Government of the Virgin Islands," but nothing on how to file one's taxes.
Acting IRB Director Louis Willis was called at home Monday, but there was no answer.
