DiNapoli Stops $21.2 Million in Dubious Tax Refunds
The State Comptroller’s office has halted $21.2 million in questionable personal income tax refunds after finding 6,353 improper filings among those filed so far this year, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today. DiNapoli's office audited and approved 3.9 million refund requests totaling $3.3 billion in 2013. Another 271,000 refund requests totaling $303 million are expected to be paid in the coming days.
“My office is ensuring that only legitimate refunds are paid and we are blocking those who try to cheat the system with inflated expenses or hidden income,” DiNapoli said. “Unfortunately, there are some tax preparers who don’t play by the rules and create inflated refunds, sometimes without the filer’s knowledge.”
DiNapoli’s office audits all New York State bills prior to payment, including personal income tax refunds. The majority of questionable returns were filed by taxpayers who claimed credits for ineligible child care or claimed credits allowed only for low-income households. Auditors found a significant number of dubious refunds – 27 percent – were linked to dishonest tax preparers filing false tax returns.
Questionable personal income tax refund requests stopped to date include:
