DOR complies with auditor’s subpoena over tax returns

A tax refund tussle is settling between the Missouri Department of Revenue and Auditor Nicole Galloway in Jefferson City.

Earlier this week, Galloway issued a subpoena to the DOR requiring it to turn over information on its management of income tax refunds to Missouri residents. DOR officials refused the auditor’s initial audit request six weeks earlier, prompting Galloway to issue her first ever subpoena for information, according to a news release.

On April 20, the day after being subpoenaed, the DOR delivered a stack of documents to the auditor’s office, according to a separate news release.

“If the new administration intends to operate behind a wall of secrecy, I will use the full authority of my office to ensure transparency and accountability when taxpayer dollars are involved,” Galloway said in the release.

The action stems from a routine audit to ensure Missourians receive their returns in a timely manner. According to the release, state law requires income tax refunds to be paid out within 45 days of filing or they are subject to interest to be paid by the state.

According to the auditor’s office, the DOR repeatedly denied multiple requests to provide Galloway with the number of people waiting on refunds or the number of days they’ve spent waiting. Galloway said officials also refused to say whether any refunds have exceeded the 45-day limit, and if so, whether interest has been paid.

In past years, the DOR has provided the information, and during the 2016 tax season DOR provided updates to the public with information on the dollar amounts, the number of returns paid out and returns still pending.
 
Galloway’s office currently is reviewing the latest documents.

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