Iowa House of Representatives

State of Iowa
Eighty-Seventh General Assembly
STATEHOUSE
Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Courtney Kay-Decker, Director

Iowa Department of Revenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Director Kay-Decker,
We are writing on behalf of thousands of Iowans to request additional information on the delay of state income
tax refunds.
Last year, many Iowans were disappointed to have their income tax refunds delayed by months without notice or
warning. Fraud prevention was the reason given for delay, while just a few months later in June 2017 we learned
the state did not in fact have enough money to pay Iowans the timely refund they were owed1.
According to the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency (LSA), refunds are currently $41 million behind
those of February 2017. This news follows the fact that refunds one year ago were 40% behind the rate of return
for 20162. It causes Iowans undue burden when the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is able to process most
federal tax returns within a nine day time period, and the Iowa Department of Revenue informs them it will,
“wait as long as you can to send out refunds3.” These delays are an obstacle to Iowa’s economic growth.
House Democrats are responding to the concern we have heard from Iowa taxpayers, and submit the following
request on behalf of our constituents.
1. What is the average delay for state income tax refunds as of today?
2. Will refunds continue to be delayed for Iowans who have not yet filed and what is the estimated delay
they can expect after filing?
3. Is fraud prevention the only reason Iowans are experiencing delays in receiving their refunds?
4. How many Iowans have received their income tax refund to date and how many are still waiting for
their state income tax refund?
5. What is the total amount of state income tax refunds that have not been paid to date?
6. As of February 28, 2018, did the state have enough money to pay the income tax refunds due to Iowans?
Does the Dept. of Revenue estimate that the state will have sufficient cash reserves to pay income tax
refunds due to Iowans for the rest of the fiscal year?
7. What is the process for protecting Iowans from fraud with their state income tax refunds?
8. How many DOR staff are working to verify state income taxes before refunds are processed?
9. Are additional fraud prevention steps being taken this year over last that account for the additional
prolonged delay?
Thank you. Your time and attention to this matter are appreciated.
Sincerely,

Representative Chris Hall

Ranking Member of House Appropriations Committee
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Representative Ako Abdul-Samad Representative Charlie McConkey

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Representative Marti Anderson Representative Brian Meyer

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Representative Bruce Bearinger Representative Helen Miller

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Representative Liz Bennett Representative Phil Miller

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Representative Wes Breckenridge Representative Amy Nielsen

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Representative Timi Brown-Powers Representative Jo Oldson

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Representative Dennis Cohoon Representative Rick Olson

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Representative Abby Finkenauer Representative Scott Ourth

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Representative John Forbes Representative Todd Prichard
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Representative Ruth Ann Gaines Representative Kirsten Running-Marquardt

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Representative Mary Gaskill Representative Mark Smith

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Representative Lisa Heddens Representative Ras Smith

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Representative Bruce Hunter Representative Art Staed

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Representative Chuck Isenhart Representative Sharon Steckman

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Representative Dave Jacoby Representative Todd Taylor

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Representative Tim Kacena Representative Phyllis Thede

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Representative Jerry Kearns Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell

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Representative Bob Kressig Representative Cindy Winckler
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Representative Monica Kurth Representative Mary Wolfe

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Representative Vicki Lensing

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Representative Mary Mascher

1. “Iowa Didn’t Have Money to Pay Tax Refunds at Previous Pace Without Delays”, Des Moines Register, 6/17/17
2. LSA Monthly Revenue Report, 3/1/18
3. “Iowa Tax Refunds Will Be Delayed Again in 2018”, Des Moines Register, 12/11/17