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Albany -- In response to Governor Paterson’s proposal to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in tax refunds to New York State taxpayers, State Senator Mike Nozzolio is now sponsoring legislation requiring the State to pay refunds within thirty days of receiving a tax return.

“This legislation would require the State to act immediately and put this hard-earned money back in the pockets of New York taxpayers,” said Nozzolio. “I have received numerous calls, letters and emails from taxpayers in my District who are being denied the refunds that rightfully belong to them. Many of these individuals are depending on their tax refund to meet other financial obligations they may have. Any delay in the processing of these refunds is simply unacceptable.”

As much as $500 million in refund payments could be delayed if Governor Paterson’s proposal is enacted.

"New York State's current budget crisis could have been avoided if the State Legislature had acted responsibly last year and refused to adopt a New York State budget that increased spending by over 10% and raised taxes by over $ 8.5 billion," said Nozzolio," By refusing to make the tough decisions that needed to be made last year, New York State's deficit has risen to unprecedented levels and placed New York State's financial future in serious jeopardy."

The legislation (S.7136) will require the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to pay every taxpayer's refund within thirty days of receiving a tax return indicating the individual overpaid on their taxes.

Nozzolio has also proposed a number of solutions to the current State budget crisis including the immediate reinstatement of strong anti-fraud measures that would weed out fraud and abuse in the State's Medicaid system and free up millions of dollars in State revenues. In addition, Nozzolio called on the State to freeze all unnecessary purchases of State recreational lands and to look critically at every expenditure of State taxpayer dollars.

“As the April 15th deadline approaches for New York State tax returns, taxpayers who overpaid their State taxes should receive their refund in a timely fashion. I am calling on my colleagues in both houses of the State Legislature to join me in fighting for this legislation to prevent any delay the processing of State income tax refunds. Our taxpayers should not be punished for the lack of fiscal responsibility in Albany,” concluded Nozzolio.

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