It is no secret tax season is here. Whether someone has already filed, or likes to wait until the very last minute, taxes are a “necessary evil” for all of us. Fortunately, there is an upside to all of this, and it is proving itself to be a good investment.
The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) has instituted a once-in-a-generation upgrade to a tax processing system that is more than 30 years old. This new computer system allows DOR to provide a more efficient service to taxpayers. According to DOR, last year, the department issued 507,745 refunds. In the first seven weeks of this year, the department has already sent out 537,763 refunds, a 106 percent increase over all of 2019. The amount of refunds approved is also up, and the number of returns under review is down, all thanks to a more efficient way of processing tax returns in the state of Missouri.
In addition, leadership at DOR has put into place what they call the “Road to 100” program. The department wants to answer every call it receives as quickly as possible. In 2017, DOR call centers were only answering around 30 percent of calls in a timely manner. The goal is to get this number to 100 percent. The department also wants to achieve this benchmark in the Motor Vehicle and Licensing divisions.
The Missouri Legislature made the decision to pave the way for DOR to make these changes with one idea in mind, and that is to better-help Missourians. As chair of the Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee, I remain committed to keeping spending as low as possible, balancing our budget and doing everything possible to help our citizens when needed. I believe this is the reason for state government.
As always, please feel free to call, email or write with your ideas or concerns. My Capitol office number is (573) 751-1415, my email is dan.hegeman@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 332, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.