Tax refunds still due to thousands

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- About 415,000 Missourians could be receiving their state income tax refunds a little later than usual.

The state has delayed the payment of some refund checks because of a budget crunch caused by lower-than-expected income tax collections.

The state still owes $167 million in tax refunds. It also is trying to cover a projected $230 million budget shortfall for the fiscal year ending June 30.

Officials announced more than a week ago that some refunds would be delayed. At the time, state Revenue Director Carol Fischer said about two-thirds of the tax refunds already had been paid.

She said those who filed tax returns in the final weeks before the April 15 deadline were the most likely to experience delays in their refunds.