CHCC: We are looking into reports

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. says it is looking into complaints made by its employees who claim that their tax refunds are being held for nonpayment of Chapter 2 taxes.

Over the weekend, CHCC employees shared their frustrations with Saipan Tribune after learning that the Division of Tax and Revenue is holding back from issuing their tax refunds due to an issue regarding nonpayment of Chapter 2 taxes.

According to four CHCC employees who requested anonymity, they were only made aware of the issue last Friday, May 10, when they reached out to the Division of Tax and Revenue asking if they were among the first batch to receive their tax refunds.

Meanwhile, Saipan Tribune reached out to CHCC spokesperson Lee Tenorio who stated that CHCC has received reports regarding the issue and is actively looking into it.

“We did receive some reports on Friday that CHCC tax rebate distributions are on hold. We are still looking into this and aren’t ready to comment further yet. We just want to look into this further to provide a clear statement,” he said.

A CHCC employee of three years shared that on May 10, they were informed by Tax and Revenue that their tax refund was on hold because of issues regarding nonpayment of Chapter 2 taxes.

“Us employees shouldn’t be involved with whatever CHCC has failed to do. We paid our taxes as we should. We shouldn’t be ‘as a result of not paying’ or be part of an example they are trying to set. We have families who are depending on the tax refunds. We work hard all year round and this is a blow in the face,” they said.

Another CHCC employee of two years who was hit with the same news last Friday said hearing that their taxes weren’t being remitted was a shock.

“I am shocked that [Tax and Revenue] has to do this to us. It’s not our fault that our Chapter 2 wasn’t being paid. CHCC has been deducting it out of our pay checks and for our tax refunds to be held back for not paying tax makes me question where did all the money go,” said the employee.

Furthermore, another CHCC employee shared that when they called Tax and Revenue last Friday, she was told that while others have been issued tax refunds, refunds belonging to CHCC employees specifically are being held due to issues regarding tax payments.

“[I was told] all employees under CHCC did not receive their taxes even if they filed on time or even early. I have not spoken to CHCC about this, but I did hear some other employees mention that it’s being taken care of. I feel disappointed. I believed this company was reliable and safe to work for, I mean it’s healthcare,” said the employee.

A long-time CHCC employee shared that in all her years working for the corporation, this is the first time she has experienced such an issue.

“All these years I have been working for CHCC, I had the impression that since I was being deducted for Chapter 2, CHCC was paying it. I’ve worked for CHCC since 2013 and this is the first that I’ve experienced where my tax is being held back. I’m very disappointed. We all work to make a living and of course being deducted for mandatory taxes, yet this happens. CHCC should follow up with their obligations because a lot of staff/families are affected by this,” she said.