by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - District Court Judge Consuelo Marshall has agreed to allow the Government of Guam and the plaintiffs in the tax refund class action lawsuit more time to negotiate a permanent injunction. The parties have been ordered to engage in negotiations from now until next Friday.

If the parties are not able to come up with an agreed upon injunction, they will seek the assistance of District Court Magistrate Judge Joaquin Manibusan.

The plaintiffs want the government to be forced to pay tax refunds within six months after a return is filed and interest to be paid on refunds not paid on a timely basis. The government expressed concerns saying the proposed injunction fails to address the $30-40 million owed for tax refunds already filed and the $105 million shortfall for payment of 2012 tax returns.

The plaintiffs have been ordered to file a permanent injunction by November 2 while the government must file its objections by November 16.