The Department of Treasury and U.S. Rep. John James are in a heated back and forth after it was reported that thousands of Michiganders had not received their tax refund.
James, R-Shelby Township, who is running for governor, released a statement on the missing funds reported by WXYZ Detroit claiming it was another example of the “failed Democrat leadership in Lansing,” including his opponent, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
“Michiganders are already overtaxed, and now their government can’t even give them their own money back,” James said in a statement. “For eight years, Democrats have controlled Michigan and families have paid the price for their incompetence. Jocelyn Benson represents more of the same failed leadership Michiganders simply cannot afford. It’s time for accountability, competence, and COMMON SENSE in Lansing.”
James called on families waiting for money to contact their representatives and demand answers.
Now, Ron Leix, spokesperson for the Department of Treasury, has updated the number, saying there are 64,600 returns with refunds requested from on-time filers to be processed. He said the department, as of Monday, had processed 5.25 million returns and issued $3.7 billion in refunds.
He said throughout tax season, 90% of returns were processed and refunds issued within a four-to-six-week timeframe, and 10% required more time due to missing information, identify verification, complex returns with multiple schedules and credits, or state debt or court-ordered garnishment to satisfy a third-party debt.
He added that this number of leftover funds still being processed is not out of the ordinary for this point in the year.
“I don’t want to minimize the frustration of those taxpayers who are waiting for their refunds. And the team is working hard to get those refunds issued,” Leix said in a statement. “But it’s important to note that our greater processing numbers have been on par from previous years. It’s a partnership on both sides to ensure an accurate return is filed and a refund is issued in a timely manner.”
