New Jersey To Delay Tax Refunds This Year

You're going to have to wait a little longer to get your money this year.

Taxpayers will experience a "slight delay" in receiving their state tax refunds this year, according to the state Division of Taxation.

The state Division of Taxation is taking steps, according to a division release, to protect New Jersey taxpayers from refund fraud and identity theft. These enhanced efforts will result in early filers getting their refunds starting March 1.

"Processing returns and distributing refunds safely and efficiently is a key goal for the division," according to the release. "We appreciate your patience."

The change apparently has no impact on federal income tax refunds.

Treasury Department spokesman Willem Rijksen told NJ101.5 that New Jersey needs to coordinate deadlines for data sharing. “The later start will allow New Jersey to receive and share more data with other government tax agencies and is consistent with the refund start for other states,” he said.

Ann Vardeman, program director for New Jersey Citizen Action, told the station that refunds on February tax filings used to be paid in as little as two weeks. “That sounds like a much longer review. It sounds about twice as long as what we’ve seen in the past,” Vardeman said of the 4- to 12-week processing for tax returns.

According to the state Division of Taxation:

• Returns filed electronically may take a minimum of four weeks to validate and process.

• Returns filed on paper may take a minimum of 12 weeks to validate and process.

Allow for the minimum processing time before contacting us about your refund status. More questions can be answered here: 1-800-323-4400.

Patch file photo