Why several Rhode Islanders are still waiting for tax refunds
By Bianca Buono
@BBuonoABC6
Many Rhode Islanders filed their taxes months ago, but they’re still waiting for their returns. The state is taking longer than usual to issue returns and it’s not going unnoticed.
"You know I was relying on it because I have a child on the way and I was looking to buy a car,” said Michael Klassner of Warren.
Klassner filed his Rhode Island state tax return nine weeks ago. He couldn’t wait any longer for his refund so he showed up to the Department of Revenue, only to find a line of dozens of others in the same boat.
"I’ve never been here before but I was told it was like an in and out type thing and I was probably here for about two hours already," Klassner said.
Christine Rei of Johnston wasn’t too far behind him in line.
"It’s very frustrating. All these years I’ve done my taxes on Turbo Tax and it’s never been an issue,” Rei said. “It comes within four weeks and now it’s just taken so long."
Rhode Island’s Acting Tax Administrator Neena Savage admits that taxpayers are waiting longer than usual this year for their refund check, citing a number of reasons why.
"There’s been a lot of fraud. The IRS is taking three times longer to process returns,” Savage said.
Savage also added that the state has introduced a new system to enter returns to make sure Rhode Islanders are better protected against fraud.
"It’s our first tax season with the new system. We’re tweaking it, we’re fixing it, our goal is to be more efficient and more responsive and get these refunds out sooner next year,” explained Savage.
The state has already issued $130 million in refunds to 262,000 tax payers, but Savage says the department knows many Rhode Islanders are still waiting and losing their patience.
"We’re shifting resources from all over the agency to work on these refunds, to meet the walk-ins, and to prioritize the issuance of refunds,” said Savage.
If you still haven’t received your refund and want to check the status of it, you don’t have to make the trip to the Department of Revenue.
Click the link below to check the status of your refund online.
https://www.ri.gov/taxation/refund/
The deadline to file taxes in Rhode Island is April 18th.
© WLNE-TV 2016
