DiNapoli blocks dubious state tax refunds
New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said local governments face difficult choices that require better long-range planning and honest conversations about revenues and expenses. (March 14, 2012) Credit: Newsday/Audrey C. Tiernan
The state comptroller's office has halted $16.4 million in personal state income tax refunds, saying it has found 5,903 improper returns among those filed so far this year.
Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said his office has audited and approved 4.7 million refund requests totaling $4.1 billion in 2012, with another 406,000 refund requests totaling $382 million expected to be paid in the coming days.
DiNapoli said Monday that "while most taxpayers play by the rules, these unscrupulous filers claimed tax deductions for children they don't have, listed fictitious day care expenses or used other schemes to cheat their fellow New Yorkers" on taxes.
The comptroller's office said it audits all state bills before payment, including personal income tax refunds.
The agency said 23 percent of questionable returns were linked to dishonest tax preparers.
'He will be ... coming out of prison in a body bag' Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. spoke with NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa about what life is like for the Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann in jail.
'He will be ... coming out of prison in a body bag' Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. spoke with NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa about what life is like for the Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann in jail.
