Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt (R,C,I – Greenwood Lake) reiterated her strong opposition to the Governor’s plan to withhold $500 million of the $1.75 billion reserved for income tax refunds as well as renewing her pledge to help assist constituents who could possibly see delays in receiving their income tax refund.
“Clearly, the Governor had a terrible idea here. Not only has he heightened worries for New Yorkers already struggling to pay their bills, but he has alienated the legislature, the representatives of the people, with this misguided plan,” said Assemblywoman Rabbitt.
With news of the Governor’s plan spreading last week, the Assemblywoman’s office was flooded with phone calls of concern. She has been working with her constituents to assure them that they will, in fact, receive their income tax refunds as long as the Governor keeps his word. She stated, “Both the Governor and the Commissioner of the state Department of Taxation and Finance have assured my staff and I that all refunds will be mailed. Like many members of the public, I often take these assurances with a grain of salt, but in this case, having already contacted the Governor, we must wait to see if he keeps his word.”
The Governor’s plan calls for the withholding of the $500 million, slotted for income tax refunds, until the end of the current fiscal year: April 1, 2010. After that, the entirety of the withholding will be released. This should not affect most taxpayers in receiving their refund as normal. In fact, by law, the state must refund taxpayers within 45 days of the date the tax return is filed. If the state fails to meet that 45-day turn-around, the state will be forced to pay taxpayers interest on any delinquent refunds.
The Assemblywoman said, “We don’t want to see the state holding onto anyone’s money, even if it’s just a loan. I have been working with the Governor and Department of Taxation and Finance to make sure they keep their word and that all taxpayers see their refund in the normal, timely manner. If anyone has problems, they should call my office immediately so that we can intervene on their behalf.”
If you believe your income tax refund is delayed or have any other problems or concerns, please contact Assemblywoman Rabbitt’s district office by calling (845) 291-3631 or by e-mailing rabbitta@assembly.state.ny.us.