State refunds could take up to 14 weeks to process

Taxpayers waiting for a state refund are going to have to wait even longer.

The Hawaii Department of Taxation says as it enters the peak tax-processing period that the waiting time for refunds will extend to a range of about 10 to 14 weeks, according to a notice on its website.

The Tax Department said it continues to review tax returns "for validity and accuracy."

It also said that intermittent phone problems have been resolved as it approaches Monday’s filing deadline.

Last month the Tax Department said most electronic returns should be proc­essed in four to six weeks, while paper returns should be proc­essed in six to eight weeks. The state has developed new and more extensive methods for screening paper and electronic tax returns for fraud, and the additional scrutiny is resulting in delays.

"The longer processing times are in response to higher volume as well as additional scrutiny necessary to stop tax fraud that could cost the state millions of dollars," the Tax Department said. "Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to expedite the processing of all tax returns and ask for the public’s continued patience."

To check on a refund, go to tax.ehawaii.gov/hoihoi/refund.html.