Civil suit for tax refunds in dispute

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The Government of Guam doesn't believe that several taxpayers who filed a class action lawsuit in the federal court for tax refunds should be awarded a single penny. Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Orcutt submitted the government's answer to a suit filed by Jeffrey and Rea Paeste and Sharon Zapanta. 

While GovGuam admits that it owes some local taxpayers income tax refunds over the last several years that may be in the amount of $269 million, the government contends that the lawsuit is not ripe and the plaintiffs failed to exhaust their administrative remedies. The government has requested that the plaintiffs be awarded nothing on their complaint.