Winston-Salem Journal, N.C., Ask SAM column

Mar 8, 2010 — Winston-Salem Journal

Mar. 8, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Q. I filed my income taxes online about a month ago. I received my federal return about eight days after, but still haven't received the state refund. I thought it was suppose to be a lot quicker if you filed online. -- B.C.

A. As happened last year, the slow economy is making for slow tax refunds from the state.

A statement on the N.C. Department of Revenue's Web site says:

"The state continues to feel the effects of the slow economy, and the department is managing the distribution of refunds as a result.

"We manage those distributions on a week-to-week basis, which means the department is unable to provide estimated time frames when taxpayers will receive their refunds.

"We're writing refund checks and issuing refunds electronically every week. Everyone who is due a refund will receive a refund."

Some other states are also taking such steps.

In Alabama, "refunds are being approved but are going out slowly this year," a spokesman told CNBC. Hawaii is delaying income-tax refunds until July 1, to help cover a $721 million budget gap for the fiscal year that will end June 30.

Taxpayers can check on the status of their returns by going to the Department of Revenue's Web site at www.dornc.com and clicking on the "Where's My Refund?" link; or by calling 877-252-4052. You can find out if your tax return has been processed or is pending.

So far this year, the department has processed more than 800,000 refunds worth nearly $553 million.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0222-42672637