New York – New Yorkers Still Waiting for Their State Tax Refund Checks

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    New York – Queens therapist Tracie James filed her state income tax return last month.
    Brooklyn customer service rep Marcia Clement filed hers a few weeks later.
    And Sharon Jenkins, a Manhattan receptionist, sent off hers even earlier – in the beginning of January.

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    James, Clement and Jenkins have something in common, though they wish they didn’t. They still haven’t received their state tax refunds.

    “We don’t know what the holdup is, but whatever it is, it’s unfair,” Jenkins, 38, said. “They don’t have any problem taking your taxes. They shouldn’t have any problem getting it back to you when they should.
    “These are hard times right now. Money is scarce for everyone.”

    Scores of New Yorkers have been complaining that they are still waiting for their state refunds. The crippled economy has made the delay even more painful, many said.

    “I need this money,” said Clement, a 44-year-old single mother. “I’m traveling soon, and I’ve got a baby to support.”
    Clement said that since receiving her federal refund early last month, she has called the state’s hotline repeatedly in search of answers. She is still waiting.

    State Tax Department spokesman Thomas Bergin said there have been no widespread delays.
    By the end of the day Thursday, 1.78 million refunds totaling $1.4 billion had gone out the door.
    During the same point last year, 1.82 million refunds totaling $1.48 billion had been processed.

    “The numbers are very close to last year,” Bergin said. “They are not indicative of any slowdown or delay.”

    That doesn’t mean some people’s returns haven’t been delayed.

    Processing started a week later than normal because of a federal change, Bergin said.
    Others have been delayed because filers made mistakes that need to be corrected or a return was randomly selected as part of the state’s more aggressive fraud and accuracy review, he added.

    By the end of the fiscal year on March 31, the state expects to have processed 2.2 million refunds totaling $1.75 billion. That’s 320,000 more refunds than last year.

    “We’re pushing them through as fast as we can,” Bergin said. “Most people who have had a delay will have their refunds by the end of the month.”

    For people like Winnie Smith, 65, that’s not soon enough.
    Smith, of Coney Island, is out of work and caring for her grandson.
    “I filed on Jan. 16,” Smith said. “I should have had my money a long time ago. … I got bills to pay. This is ridiculous.”


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    20 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I filed last month and just got my refund (about 4-5 weeks after filing). One key- I filed electronically and with direct deposit. The federal government was even faster- I had my refund literally a week after filing in that fashion.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    i filed already in middle of january with e-file and direct deposit and im still waiting! the federal i got already few days later, its ridiculous!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I just received mine with a corection of 1 $ and 5 cents. no joke.

    ari briooklyn
    ari briooklyn
    15 years ago

    filed in Jan and got back only from the IRS, yet nothing from the state yet

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I E-filed in the first week of march and got my refund deposited in my bank account 5 days later. Those who have not recieved their refunds yet probably made some mistake in the returns that is delaying their checks…most of my friends who have E-filed have gotten their refunds within a week of filing.

    Yitzchok
    Yitzchok
    15 years ago

    If you file by Thursday. The IRS will have your money sent out the Following Friday 8 days later. as for the state return KIT.

    Melissa
    Melissa
    15 years ago

    I e-filed my return on jan 26 for direct deposit. The system told me for weeks that they had received it and it was processing. Two weeks ago it said it was in its final stages of processing and I am still waiting. This seems really unfair. I need my money. Tomorrow will make 8 weeks since I filed. I have no errors on my return. I have even spoken to someone and she said that there is nothing wrong with my return. I have no idea what the problem. Crossing my fingers that I will wake up tomorrow and there will be a miracle in my checking account.

    Screw this NY
    Screw this NY
    14 years ago

    i filed the tax (paper) on feb 5th recieved federal on may 20th and still waiting for NY state refund. this state is screwed…….

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    I am still waiting for my taxes. Does Michale Bloomberg is thinking about re-election?. Yeah right!!!!!!! You will not get my vote

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    August! I got an IOU from CA…they’re broke and they can at least send out a check. NY, this is ridiculous. With a baby on the way I need that money! C’mon.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    I filed in early February and it is now the 2nd of September and I have yet to receive a check. Beyond ridiculous, what are my rights? this has to be illegal, i check the website and call once a week and I’m always told “It is being processed”.