Guam - Lines were longer than usual at the Department of Revenue & Taxation today and hundreds flocked to meet the April 15 deadline to file their taxes or at least file for an extension. "A lot of the taxpayers who are getting tax refunds probably filed already," agency director John Camacho said, adding that he suspects today's crowd is full of those paying taxes or filing for returns as the agency has already processed half of the 60,000 returns expected to be filed this year.

"We normally get around 60,000 filers a year so from my understanding we've processed roughly 30,000 to 33,000 so far, that have filed all the way up to March, I believe."

He accounts the early filing to the permanent injunction issued in January by District Court of Guam Judge Consuelo Marshall requiring the Government of Guam to pay income tax returns within six months of the deadline or six months after the return has been filed, whichever is later. Already GovGuam has paid out about $29 million in tax refunds for those who filed error-free returns on or before February 12.

Hoping to get a refund within the six-month time frame, 37-year-old Dededo resident Chris Magat filed his tax return this morning. "Just to be on the safe side because I know I'll be getting a refund but I know I still owe, so hopefully I get a check back as soon as possible by August," he said.

Sympathetic to last-minute filers like himself, Magat suggests Rev & Tax extend its hours of operation - at least for its satellite sites, located at the Agana Shopping Center and Micronesia Mall from 10am-4pm. "And even though there's other locations they should extend their hours until 7, not 10 to 4 because other people get off at 5," he added.

Also meeting today's deadline is 75-year-old Santa Rita resident Pacifico Fojas, who filed last Friday hoping to beat the long lines. "So I don't catch the busy now, it's a lot of people that's going to be here," Fojas said.

For those who don't meet today's deadline or file for an extension, there are penalties, as Camacho said, "It's really a severe penalty it's 5% of the tax. Just imagine if you owe $1,000 and you don't pay it by today or don't file an extension by today you'll have 5% of that $1,000, so you're looking at $50 and it accumulates. The following month it'll be another 5% up to 25%, so that's why it's important."

If you missed any of the satellite sites or Rev & Tax's hours of operation, their drop box will be open until midnight tonight. You can also mail in your return and check payment post-dated April 15 to P.O. Box 23607 GMF Guam 96921 and it will be considered on time.