BATON ROUGE (AP) — People could start filing their state income tax returns Wednesday, but they'll be waiting at least a month
for any refunds because of new computer software intended to crack down on tax fraud.
The Louisiana Department of Revenue said Feb. 26 is the earliest that tax filers will get their refunds.
The department announced that new computer
software designed to prevent fraudulent electronic filing was rolled out
for this
year's tax filing season. That identity verification software
means the first taxpayer returns will be processed Feb. 15 and
the first refunds issued a week and a half later, according to the
department.
"We are confident this new system will help
protect the public trust against tax fraud," Tim Barfield, the
department's executive
counsel, said in a statement.
If a return is flagged as questionable, taxpayers will be directed to an online data test or telephone survey to verify their
identities.
The Louisiana Department of Revenue said 82 percent of Louisiana taxpayers e-filed their state income tax returns for 2011.
The department said the increase in electronic filing increases the risk for tax fraud, citing federal statistics that tax
fraud is the third largest theft of federal funds.
Nearly 23,000 cases of tax fraud were identified in Louisiana in 2012, according to the department.