Cash-Strapped States Delay Paying Income-Tax Refunds

Yahoo ^ | 3-5-10 | cnbc

[cajuncow]

This year, more Americans and businesses may be asking: Where's my tax refund?

That's because cash-strapped states such as North Carolina, Alabama and Hawaii have been forced to slow down issuing income tax refunds to individuals and businesses because of a lack of funds in their budget.

Kansas has hinted that a delay might be possible, and processing paper refunds in Iowa has slowed because the state doesn't haven't enough employees to get them processed faster.

Another state, New York, is still considering whether they'll follow the likes of Hawaii and delay refund payments.

[Personal Responsibility]

“We know you gave us too much money but we need it more than you so we’re keeping it and there is nothing you can do about it.”

This should be a crime

[Persevero]

We got a $466 red light ticket.

Yes it is wrong to wrong a red light but $466???????

[proudtobeanamerican1]

You are kidding right? There won’t be any refunds next year to delay! ;0)

[HerrBlucher]

Yup, on a ticket they do whatever they want, after all, you are a bad guy. Soon, even parking tickets will be $500 a pop. They are crooks with a license to steal.

[CottonBall]

well to pay to maintain infrasturcture schools etc...you either pay income tax or property tax....or tolls...or fines...or whatever.

Texas' property tax is at least 3 times that of California's. At least, it was when we lived in Corpus 5 years ago. And it was rising every year. Made it so that even with paying state income tax in CA, we still pay less in taxes.

They getcha one way or the other. Except perhaps in Nevada. Their property tax is also capped at 1% and cannot be ihcreased except by voter mandate. And no state income tax either.

[Persevero]

It bothered me that we have to send in the $466 even if we contest.

Guilty before proven innocent.

[CottonBall]

Ya notice people in Texas are constantly trying to get people to move there?

Then throw in nasty heat and humidity 7 months out of the year...

I'd say trouble likes company

You couldn't pay me to move back there. And I was born and raised there plus moved back 5 years ago for a year. Couldn't leave fast enough.

Heat, humidity, bugs, illegals, ugly landscape, confiscatory property taxes and people condescendingly proud of all that. I imagine they're actuall proud of their state for other reasons, but they can't get their noses out of the air long enough to explain why. (At least the natives like my sister and her husband were like that.)

[Dayman]

I anticipated this last year so I drastically lowered my withholding so I will wind up owing both state and federally this year. I'm betting the state of North Carolina won't extend me the courtesy of delaying my payment interest free for a while until it's more financially convenient for me.

[BnBlFlag]

My property taxes have gone down to about $300 per year this year with the homestead exemption and having just turned 65 I get the 65+ exemption this year (On a 2,350 sq. ft. custom home on an acre of land built 4 years ago.

[BobL]

“’If you do WANT to live your income, you certainly can, but you will be taxed here. But if you are willing to live low (as I do)...then you get a FREE RIDE here...something that NO STATE with an income tax can offer.’

Oh, thanks for sharing that Bob....I’m glad to see assholes like you know how to scam the system. And I wonder why my taxes were off the roof...... “

You’re a bit jumpy, my point is that I live in a state that collects most of its money by property taxes...Because of that I can make a lot of money, but still live in a very cheap house (as many here do), and pay very little money to the state in taxes. That is something that you CANNOT do if you are taxed on income (i.e., before you get the money). Obviously, it’s not scamming the system...it’s just taking advantage of the flexibility of the system...and yes, EVERY penny I make is reported to the IRS and I do pay taxes on that money.

[Eric Blair 2084]

Looks like I picked the wrong year to use my tax refund to pay for brakes on my car.

[hattend]

But are you the exception or the norm?

[VOA]

Last year, Missouri ran out of money to pay state tax refunds.
So, as there were few strictures on Federal “stimulus” funds, and
a desire to NOT call the state legislature back into session to fix the
short fall...
a large number of Missourians got their state tax refunds out of
Federal stimulus funds.

Sure, they had to wait till maybe June to get paid, especially if
they waited till late Feb/early March to file.

So far, MO has been doing timely refunds for Tax Year 2009...
but after last year...anything could happen.

[luvie]

I am sooooo glad I live in Texas where we don’t have state
income tax and seem to do all right without it or it’s headaches!

[dalereed]

“You mean there are states that have a state income tax?”

California, with a top rate of 11%.

Having Proposition 13 keeping property taxes low makes me very happy paying State incomr tax!

[Del Rapier]

Welcome to Greece.

[Nitehawk0325]

My wife complained to me that she would rather pay more all year and get a bigger refund at the end of the year. Changed it anyway and now owe Kalifornia $87. And they will receive the check on or after April 15th. Screw them. That’s all they do to us, unless you are m illegal alien.

[Portnoy]

I’m still waiting for a refund from the City of Detroit for three years now.

[WOBBLY BOB]

...because remember, it’s not really your money, it’s the government’s to do with what they please.

[SeattleBruce]

“Next year at this time, it won’t just be three states. It will be those states, plus the other 54.”

LOL on the 57 states referernce...dear leader’s so BRILLIANT, aint he?