California Tax Refund Checks Delayed. You Won’t Even Get An IOU.
January 17, 2009 by Johnny California
Filed under Budget Crisis, California Legislature, california death penalty
If you are planning on filing your state taxes early to get that refund check sooner than later, don’t bother.
State Controller John Chiang announced today that beginning February 1st a number of tax refunds, welfare payments, college aid, aid to for the disabled, and a whole bunch of other payments will be delayed by at least 30 days. Here’s why (from Controller Chiang’s press release):
With no signs of an economic recovery in sight, it is critical that the Governor and the Legislature enact a sound budget solution that provides much-needed cash by February 1. If not, the State will be $346 million in the red at the end of February, and $5.2 billion in the red in April.
In order to preserve cash for education, debt service and other payments that are deemed by the State Constitution, federal law or court rulings as having first claim to available General Fund cash, the Controller announced he will begin delaying, for 30 days, payments to all other programs that are funded out of the State’s depleted General Fund.
Those payments that will be delayed include thousands of payments to businesses for services and products they provide to the State; to assistance for more than a million aged, blind and disabled Californians that goes to pay their rent, utilities, or put food on their tables; to State agencies that use the payments to fund critical public services, ranging from public safety to health and welfare.
If the budget crisis is not resolved by March 1, then the state may issue IOUs — which may not be any better, especially if banks refuse to accept them.
Read Controller Chiang’s entire statement here.
For a detailed list of all delayed payments by February 1st, click here.
Our question is this — if this isn’t resolved by April 15th, why should we be required to file our state taxes by then?
Absolutely Ridiculous! We are accessed a 10% late fee if we pay our property tax even a day late, why can’t we do the same to the state of CA? I think I will send in my own IOU to the tax collector since I’m in a budget deficit myself.
Reply
that stinks
Reply
stupid Arnold is such an idiot! he has put us Californians in so much debt. Why should we pay for his mistakes? We need our refund checks a.s.a.p, most of us nowadays are living paycheck to paycheck and are counting on our taxes for a little help, and now theyre being delayed 30 days! What the hell.!!!!
Reply
joe Reply:
March 10th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
I suggest you point the finger in the right direction wich would be towards Chaing the one asian who’s an idiot.
First of all he defied court orders and those issued by the governors office to cut the pay of all state employees so that we would not be in the current situation.
And lastly he is the state money holder and as such he has done a horrible job managing the states money.
Reply
Mika Reply:
March 16th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Right, blame him for not wanting to cut someone who has a family pay in half. You are so stupid.
Reply
Evee,
I think you need some education on how the system works. Arnold is a very small part of our problem. In Government whether it be state of federal, the legislature/congress is responsible for what goes through. It’s our free spending California legislature that has been free to spend our money on unneeded special interest projects just like Congress. Nothing from our Governors or Presidents can get through the legislative bodies without majority vote and often these legislative bodies hold the State or Federal Commander in Chief hostage to get their outrageous spending bills signed by them.
It’s very single minded to blame problems on a Governor or a President. Our Legislature needs to cut their outrageous spending on pet projects and special interests and pass a balanced budget that Arnold can sign. I too am extremely angry that the State is holding my $1150 even though the FTB sent the information for my payment over to the Controller’s office on 1/24/09. Stop payments by February 1st?, stop sending as of 1/27? No, they stopped sending payments out before that. While I am very angry and don’t think they have a right to do this and our Controller doesn’t have the right to take $2 million dollars to decorate his office while holding our money hostage, I do think that we have to hold fast for this legislature to get their fiscal house in order.
Reply
micha Reply:
February 10th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
I don’t understand why are we paying 40 millions dollars to bring dirt into an old airfield for the birds??? that is a waste of tax payers money there. there is NO need to pay these workers 24/7 and pay 40 million maybe more just so they can open the bay. oh how about this one the admiral wants a new water heater added to his house and the tay payers pay for that. just because he doesn’t have ENOUGH hot water?? he already has a 40-80 gallon tank. we make that happen but we can fix the military housing issue?
WASTE oh there is more.
Reply
If I draw too much from my bank account I get charged an arbitrary fee, regardless of how much I overdraw. People who deserve a tax return are simply not making enough money in the first place, and the taxes being withheld from there weekly paycheck is more than fair in the first place. So when a Bank charges fees for insufficient funds regardless of the amount overdrawn, they claim its a service to there customers. My Service to California is to charge a service fee of $1000.00 per $100 they owe me. That is not only fair, but a service I provide to my state!
Reply
Bill Reply:
February 5th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
one more note taxation without representation!
Reply
Left California nearly 4 years ago. The state of California is no longer a place to become prosperous or raise a family. The public school system has largely collapsed, the highest tax rates on income kick in at 41K per year at 9%. The People’s Republic of California is now in session. The legislature is stuffed with power hungry, money hungry Democrats hell bent for leather on creating a socialist state. How many times over the past decade has the state of California failed to pass a budget on time? Too many. Why the citizens of this formerly great state continue to put up with this madness is beyond me.
Reply
Amanda Reply:
March 2nd, 2009 at 8:31 am
Both parties are to blame, but there are many agencies that are really helping the public and there are others that does nothing but imped progress. Find out the agencies that does nothing and see what party supports it…if you want to play the blame game. For example, “Money hungry” Democrats wants to improve school…republicans wants to direct money towards more jails rather than actually rehabilitating non-violent offenders. If that’s the logic, of course the school system is “collapsing.”
It’s really messy and honestly, if we’d left Gray Davis alone, perhaps we’d be less effected by this economy. Maybe Davis’ people would have sounded alert to the Federal government and the state’s would have better “regulation,” (a word I know republicans hate)on California lenders. Something to think about you know.
With respect to socialism…I don’t think we’re even close to it. If we were even close to it, than we wouldn’t be in this situation. This idea that we are turning socialist is concocted by the Rich to benefit their taxes.
Reply
heath Reply:
March 12th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
I have to agree, i lived in CA for 9 months this year and 600.00 back (if i get it). i moved to Hawaii (also a high tax state) and for the 3 months i was here i get 1100.00 back. makes you wonder what California is doing with all that money
Reply
Maybe if Arnold had actually eliminated those committees that his own commission on waste in the state government recommended, instead of sliding a dozen of them over to party-line Republicans, we’d have a little more spending cash.
Reply
The reason California cannot ever pass a budget is because it takes a 2/3 majority. They need to change it to a simple majority, like most of the states.
Reply
How are people down there coping? I see little attention to this in the media.
Reply
I think this entitles us to collect interest on the money we are letting them hold. After all it IS our money and if we pay late they get pissed, I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t get interest on this, the economy… blah blah blah. If they were doing there jobs right the economy wouldn’t be in trouble in the first place! I WANT MY MONEY!!!
Reply
I have clients who are asking if they can send the California IOU to pay their Federal Income Taxes. We do not do tax work. But who knows? Sounds like a great idea for someone to try who is willing to face the consequences. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander! There will sure be people who recalculate their withholding, and their quarterly estimates this year to fine tune their needs for next year!!
Reply
Listen, two wrongs don’t make a right. If you OWE taxes then in some way, your underpayment has contributed to the lack of funds in State coffers. Pay what you owe and be done with it.
Until now, I have never claimed any deductions with my filing status, ultimately allowing the state and federal government to draw more from my check than they should. I know this my seem crazy to some of you, but I enjoy living in an educated and protected society and don’t mind paying for it and giving them an interest free loan from my pocket is o.k. with me. I get by just fine.
However, I am refiling my state tax forms to claim 99 deductions so that I am not charged any taxes through out the year, or minimal amounts at best. At the end of the year , I will calculated the exact amount I owe and pay it in one lump sum. I will no longer trust the sham elected officials to be custodians of my money.
Furthermore, California should put the 2/3rds majority on the next voting ballot, or make a special vote, to allow the people to change the law, since the congress is too constipated to do so.
Also, the State needs to cut spending on silly projects and limitless and unending public aid. The State needs to implement oversight to guarentee that tax dollars that are spent on aid aren’t flowing south of the border. The State needs to pu tsome of its pet eco and social projects on the back burner for now, as there are far more pressing issues that hold far more dire consequences if unresolved.
Anyway, I’m just saying what I think makes sense. Why spend money on saving the trees when there are people that don’t have enough to eat? Just seems plain and simple to me.
Reply
MT Reply:
February 11th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
“Why spend money on saving the trees when there are people that don’t have enough to eat?”
Without tree’s we all die, even the hungry.
Reply
Fahad Reply:
February 12th, 2009 at 12:18 am
I agree with John. I too used to claim nothing on my w4 forms and give an interest free loan. By tax time, my tax liability was very little and would receive a good about of my taxes. After seeing what’s happing, thats all gone. Going to exempt my taxes for this year.
Am I the only person who’s worried of our tax return to be never repaid? This maybe a stupid comment but what if the state just simply says, we’re broke! No refunds this year, next year we will start from scratch…
What is the possibility of that happening?
Reply
LB Reply:
February 13th, 2009 at 8:18 am
“Am I the only person who’s worried of our tax return to be never repaid?”
Yes. That is how I found this.
I’m definitely never doing this again, if at all possible. I would rather pay what I owe for the year when it is due than give an interest free loan to a bunch of arses who can’t balance a budget. I am barely above “working poor” and can not afford this.
Reply
Dom Reply:
February 18th, 2009 at 2:44 am
John, be careful with those 99 deductions. If you grossly underpay your taxes, you can be assessed a fine. Unreal, right?
Use a W4 calculator to determine your expected liability, and claim that number of deductions. I like to owe ~$100 at the end of the year.
Or, you could pay quarterly.
Reply
I say Fuck California. Those sons of bitches at the capitol should be drawn and quartered. It’s bullshit that they can take our money all year. then refuse to give us what we got comin. Its not like the governmental services they provide us are even efective. The roads are shitty. the schools are shitty. the cities are drug infested and shitty. I say we don’t give those fuckers a dime. FUCK ARNOLD!
Reply
For “fuckarnold” YOUR AN IDIOT! Why don’t you figure out all the problems and where they come/came from than blaming all of California’s problems on one person.
Reply
This is theft. The money did not belong to the government in the first place. To not return what is ‘not theirs’ is theft. Those members of the California State legislature should be put in prison for it.
Reply
How dare the State of California treat us like this, if we owed and did not pay, they will either issue us a warrant for our arrest or garnish our wages. Most Californians work from pay check to pay check, barley making it. I am one of those. I work for a non-profit agency and barely make enough so survive. I look forward to that little extra I get from the refund to finally do something extra for my hard working self. California state employees in Sacramento can afford to go out to a fancy restaurant to eat because us taxpayers pay for it in the long run, I can’t even afford to order a damn pizza, or go to a fast food restaurant. These fat cats (George Bush & Arnold Da Terminator ) have screwed over this state and country, and what is the saddest part neither one of them truly care, they both have millions and do not know what it is like to struggle on a daily basis!
Reply
Ya’all need to calm down, and go get a job
Reply
The state owes me $1200. My refund was processed on Jan 23rd. I thought I was going to get my refund in a couple weeks. I heard the states recorder’s message about payments being delayed as of Feb 1st, so I called FTB to find out what the status on mine would be. I was informed that I would be getting it by Feb 3rd. When I didnt, I called back and they informed me that it was on hold. I was so pissed off. Just goes to show that you cant trust any one.
Reply
Fahad Reply:
February 26th, 2009 at 4:32 am
Dham, I feel sorry for you. This is messed up, you filed before the dealine and they still held it! This whole situation is complete bullshit, I’m really surprised more people (including media) arn’t talking about it and just taking it.
Reply
Its funny I screwed up on my taxes a coule of years ago and california didnt even give me a chance…..I recvd conflicting letters on what to do. When I called every time I asked a question I was threaten with being hanged up on and at the end they garnished my check…….now its my turn who’s check do I get to garnished….I didnt create this mess, but we are all paying for it…Republican, Democrat…who cares its the people that always ends up paying.
Reply
FYI: State Assembly, State Senate, salaries http://www.dpa.ca.gov click on tab at top for elected officials to see their salary. Gov Schwarzenegger does not draw a salary.
Federal Officials make about $174,000 and some higher positions pay more. This is info received from calling a US Representative in my town.
I understand the budget is now passed, but if they continue to hold tax returns, then elected officials all need to cut their salaries and use that money to pay tax refunds to hardworking California Citizens who elected them.
Reply
I love california. We owe this beautiful state more then just the little tax refund. let’s all join together and donate our refund to helping this beautiful homeland. I love you arnold and the rest of out gov. Thank you for letting me help. *hugs*
Reply
Fahad Reply:
February 26th, 2009 at 4:35 am
Ha! I love your comment. Unfortunately for the rest of the world who isn’t high on methamphetamines, some of us desperately need it – more than our beloved California.
Reply
chris Reply:
February 27th, 2009 at 4:03 am
You have got to be kidding me! Who do you work for, John Chiang? You love California? It doesn’t love you. Or respect you, or treat you as a real citizen should be treated. When California wants their money, they get it, one way or another, but they do not play on a level playing field. They put the citizens who fill their coffers below it, and do not honor the rules and regulations they expect us to honor. What a bunch of BS. California, and Californians need to wake up. Holding on to people’s money is a way of controlling the people, and right now, it looks like at the whim of legislators. When you hold money that is rightfully the people’s there is liberty taken away. When liberty is taken away, people REVOLT. I just don’t think enough people are aware yet that they will not be receiving a refund. California, when they do realize it, watch out!
Reply
Shannon Reply:
February 27th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
I agree with Chris, I dont think that we are going to be getting our refunds. In fact i looked it up and we sure wont be getting them for awhile. the state has until about 45 days after April 15 to pay without intrest, after that they are responsable for the intrest, at what rate?… dont know. Do you really think that the state is going to pay if they dont have to? Hell No. They are going to drag this out till the 11th hour and longer if they can get away with it!
I know that I am not counting on a check in the mail, but I am changing my filing to the correct dependants and hope to balance out. I am not going to give the state 1 dollar more than they have the right to have.
Reply
RP Reply:
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:34 am
Billy you can donate to the state if you wish! obviously you probally don’t pay much in taxes or you are one of those that hold a political office. Ca owes my wife, children, and I $5k. We don’t owe Ca any more money, this state already got paid in full! might I add…paid more money than my family is getting back. Remember the state has been making interest throughout 2008 on the monies currently owed to its citizens and is continuing to make interest. Isn’t that enough donation? I work hard for my family and my money, my wife and children have erned that money…not the state of California!
Reply
joneser22 Reply:
March 17th, 2009 at 7:57 am
You probably make a few 110 grand and live in san fransisco with all the other idiots up there!!!!
Reply
I moved there from Florida (no state income tax) to work for 6 months. I can’t believe how Californians are drowning in taxes yet your state is so broke. Florida does not have anywhere near the amount of taxes Cali has yet our deficit is much lower than yours. How does that happen? They need to refund our money because if they don’t that’s just bad business and gives the whole state a black eye.
Reply
Go after wealthy retirees with their investment properties protected by Prop 13. This state loves to chase out young people who actually work for a living. Without them, this state will collapse into a gray, Mexican 3rd world paradise. You reap what you sow! BTW, I will be sending a letter to the Franchise Tax Board informing them that since they are in default of my refund, they will be assessed a 10% late penalty a 24% per annum interest effective 15 April. Or, I will place a lien on state property. I’m just returning the treatment they would place on me, if I were a deadbeat.
Reply
First off, is withholding the state refund even legal? Has it happened before?
To billy girl, we all love living in California, that is not the issue. This state is one of the biggest and richest states in the USA, we have the highest sales tax rate, and gas tax rate. We all pay our dues, and some. The big wigs in the Capitol have been mishandling our money for years. This did not happen over night! My husband and I work ourselfs to the bone all year long and expect some money back at the end of each year as a bonus. This year it has been tough, we havent lost our jobs, like so many others but we do count on the refund to help with life. Shame on them for treating the people of California like we dont matter, we plan on moving out of state this year, and i suspect that we are not the only ones planning on starting over somewhere else! To bad for them.
Reply
This is the stupidest shit ever. I paid my taxes out of every check. Now it’s time for them to pay me the tax refund they owe me. My husband is in the military and I work on base. We don’t make shit compared to a lot of people here in Cali. We also have a child. They owe me $1168 and that’s not even counting my husband b/c he isn’t a resident of Cali. which is BS. I need and want my damn money.
Reply
The hell w/ California, hopefully one of these days it falls into the damn ocean. This state is nothing but a rip off. Everything cost more and the pay isn’t that much better than anywhere else. The sun fucking shines elsewhere.
Reply
Did I hear some one say donate??? I want>> Need my money if it were me oweing the state they would have no problem throwing me in jail if I did not pay what are you talking about if you want to donate let me give you my address…. Must be nice to even entertain that Idea OK big baller>>>>>
Mike in san diego OWED $1730.00 BY THIS BEAUTIFUL STATE
Reply
Alright, so i am in the Military and i am stationed in Korea right now. I have paid my california taxes then entire year without living there all of 2008 and now they wont give me MY damn money! I barely make $20k a year and work my ass off! I have been informed many time that there is no way around it either… MEXIFORNIA…
Reply
So how about we just not pay a state tax this entire year and call it even?
Reply
This is what happens when government ceases to be reasonable. The California Assembly no longer represents the best interest of its people, but instead special interest.
Change your tax with holdings. Our government cannot be trusted with your money. They have lost the ability to govern responsibly.
Reply
State owes me $1100. Property taxes due. Just got laid off. Anyone else in this boat? They signed the budget. Get to work!
Reply
that’s right, need to pay property taxes, car repairs, and college tuition. Be late you get penalties on top of penalties, and interest. Their really unfair! Maybe they should of help up their salaries to pay us.
Reply
What is everyone whining about the state owes me too what we need to do as a state wide reality is vote all incumbants out demorcat & republican neither party is working for us the people of california. If we do not change. it will be same next year & the next with guess what more taxes, fees. surcharges whatever its all taxes.
Reply
joneser22 Reply:
March 17th, 2009 at 8:02 am
vote all of them out and i guarantee most of them could not cope with a job!!!!!!!they serve themselves and are only interested in keeping there job,Best thing to do is split the state in half rite below sacramento and let northern california sctrew themselves
Reply
HOW dare california keep handing out tickets! I just got a seat belt ticket and although it’s my fault, I felt like saying, HEY why don’t you take it out of the balance you owe me you sons of bitches. YOU WASTE MY GODDAM MONEY ALL YEAR AND THEN WHEN IT’S TIME TO PAY IT BACK SHRUG YOUR SHOULDERS AND THEN ASK ME FOR 89 GODDAM MORE DOLLARS? What an asshole.
Reply
Lindsey Reply:
March 6th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
I’m waiting for a $1500 refund, as of 2009 I claim 3 and will save the moeny throughout the year. My biggest problem is where the money is going, if you have been near any health services facitilty your will know it all Mexicans and dopers. Oh and did I mention all he young sluts that get pregnant without a dad or the dad is worthless and mom doesn’t have enough brains to abort it. Anyone say we execute all the “Life without parole” prisoners and first degree murderers. How about charging kids parents if the kids need to learn english in schools. Here’s another, first three kids free and you’ll need to pay for grade schooling for the rest.
Reply
I too live in the beautiful State of California. I filed my taxes the last week of January. I am still waiting on my State tax return which amounts to over $2,000. I am employed, a divorced parent raising three girls, and I have to bust my #### to make it in the State of California. I will be adjusting my deductions, and plan on moving out of the State of California. What a disappointment!
Reply
I just spoke to the general counsel for the State Controller, and asked him what the legal basis was for not refunding refunds. He answered that the State Revenue and Tax Code states that refunds are not due until May 30 anyway. I asked him why all the panicky press releases didn’t state this – it probably would have put people at ease. He said he wasn’t responsible for the press releases. I told him that the cynic in me thinks that the powers that be, including the State Controller, were simply trying to scare everyone into thinking things were so dire that the state budget would be passed to their liking. (Rereading the near-hyterical wording of the press release above, that appears to be exactly the case.) He said that he had a cynic in him as well.
In a nutshell: They were only trying to frighten us so they could get a budget passed to their liking. Lying bastards.
Reply
Give me back my money, you sons of bitches! You have $1100 of mine, that you weren’t supposed to have to begin with. Now you’re raising my taxes even more, increasing the LA sales tax to the highest in the country. You’re ruining our state! You taxed and spent us into oblivion. You ought to be publically flogged. I’m leaving the first chance I get. And you can go straight to hell!
Reply
RECALL ARNOLD AND YES, DAWNA, IT IS HIS FAULT-YOU ARE THE ONE IN NEED OF SOME EDUCATION -
ARNOLD HAD FIVE YEARS OF BEING IN OFFICE TO STOP THE SPENDING LIKE HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO DO. INSTEAD HE RAISES OUR TAXES TO THE TUNE OF-GET READY FOR THIS COME APRIL 1ST ALL YOU CALIFORNIANS:
DOUBLE CAR REGISTRATION- (WHICH HE RAN ON CUTTING IN 2003 REMEMBER? DAWNA? HMMM? THATS WHY I VOTED FOR HIM)
INCREASED SALES TAXES
REDUCTION IN YOUR YEARLY DEPENDANT CREDIT-FROM 300.00 EA KID TO 100.00 EA KID
AND, A TAX ON YOUR YEARLY TAX FILINGS.
REVENUES MY ASS, THESE ARE TAXES.
AND, THERE IS A SPECIAL ELECTION IN MAY TO VOTE FOR SOMETHING THEY ARE CALLING A “SPENDING CAP” (PROP 1A) ITS NOT A SPENDING CAP, BUT WHAT IT WILL DO IF YOU VOTE YES FOR IT IS KEEP THE ABOVE TAXES IN PLACE FOR AN ADDITIONAL 2 YEARS – VOTE NO ON PROP 1A. THIS INFORMATION IS BEING KEPT FROM THE PUBLIC BECAUSE THEY WANT THIS HORRIBLE PROPOSITION TO PASS. DONT BELIEVE ME, LOOK IT UP YOURSELVES AND STOP LISTENING TO THE MANY HACKS OUT THERE.
AND BTW, DAWNA, ARNOLD IS A COMPLETE FRAUD AND LIAR.
Reply
RECALL ARNOLD THE LYING FRAUD
Reply
YA lets pay all the people on welfare befor we pay all the hard working tax payers. I THINK CALIFORNIA SUCKS
Reply
well now let’s see. i owe property tax by april 10th or the penalties kick in, but my state refund check won’t be available until sometime in may (with luck).
HOW ‘BOUT THIS. i send my property tax of $2,753.00 MINUS the $1,005.00 that california owes me for a total of $1,748.00. SEEMS TO MAKE A LITTLE TO MUCH SENSE DOESN’T IT. simple math could help ALL OF US and the state get through this economic nightmare AND how much could it realistically cost to facilitate the plan …… i know, to simplistic to be feasible around here just more california dreamin’ …….
Reply
Okay, so I juat heard the tax returns ‘are in the mail’, per news. What does that really mean, the checks were precreated and just need to be mailed or submitted for direct deposit, OR (what I think) now will continue in their processing and will take additional time?
Its Monday, and I filed my return late January and I am hoping these lazy a$$es do this the right way and pay first the folks who filed earlier.
I doubt it but did anyone get their return yet?
I tell you, I will never give the government more money than required. The hell with the big tax return, I’m keeping ALL my money now!
Reply
Has anyone received their check or direct deposit yet? If no one gets it by Friday email cjessee@news10.net She covered the story for Channel 10 in Sacramento and had interviewed Chiang. She said that the State Controller office to her the story was accurate and that we should be seeing checks and deposits in 3-5 business days.
Reply
can’t wait to deploy to not pay taxes to this ‘GREAT’ state!
Reply
This is what the ’status’ of mine says:
Your refund was authorized on Friday, March 13, 2009.
If you filed a paper return, please allow 25 business days from this date to receive your refund. If you filed your return electronically, please allow 10 business days from this date to receive your refund. If we make any adjustments to your tax return, we will notify you.
Reply
Yeah, mine is the same situation:
“Your refund was authorized on Friday, March 13, 2009.
If you filed a paper return, please allow 25 business days from this date to receive your refund. If you filed your return electronically, please allow 10 business days from this date to receive your refund. If we make any adjustments to your tax return, we will notify you.”
I’m just freaken tired of waiting for this return. I knew this would happen and its happening. This waiting period is almost as long as the tax refund delay due to the budget!
I just called the California tax board and they’re saying I should get mine this week.
Reply
joneser22 Reply:
March 17th, 2009 at 8:09 am
Mine said it was authorized on the 14th of march and was accepted back in late january,I bet i will not get it for at least another month,Why would I? the sate of california could care less about handing out money to people who really deserve it,I would like to know if welfare checks were deposited late during this period,probably not,that would inconvinience to many people,california politicians are the worst,why anyone would vote for the incumbent in there legislative district is ridiculously high!!!
Reply
Fahad Reply:
March 18th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
See thats the whole point. They handing out the money. Its not their money, state of california is just holding this money, until we file our taxes. Once we do, its theirs and they give us back whats left.
I just think it should be illegal for them to use money that isn’t theirs that they are being entrusted to hold on to. They should deposit this money into an interest baring account, once we file the taxes, they give us the return and withdraw the amount thats taxes and keep that.
They just use our money and they get away with it because they always have funds to pay back the tax returns. Except now they got caught! They used our money and now they ran out when it was time to pay back.
I am recommending everyone! Create a new w4 form and give to your employer and mark yourself as exempt. Therefore, California and federal government will no longer hold your money. Open a new checking account, what ever you would pay to State and Federal deposit into the checking account. You will keep the money and once its tax time, you pay the tax thats owed and KEEP THE REST. No Delays, no waiting… its in your account, not in some free spending politicians who doesn’t care a single bit about us.
It works out great for me because at the end of it, I usually pay around $1000 taxes. Ive already exempted myself; if we went through this year, I’m sure these people wont fix this huge debt in one year… so I’m expecting next year would be the same.
Reply
cara Reply:
March 23rd, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Farhad,
You took the words right out of my head. I’m doing just exactly what you said. That’s what we all need to do!!! Don’t trust these morons to be caretakers of our hard earned dollars. At least in the bank, you will be earning some interest. The key is don’t forget to put it in a savings account or you will be in trouble come tax time when you do have to pay your taxes.
Vote out the entire state assembly and evryone else who is currently in office,that is the only way things might change!If I was in the state legislature rite now I would be embarrassed but these politicians are to full of themselves .Vote them alll out!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
has anyone out there received their tax refund. We have given them + two weeks and at this point they should have been able to process atleast two tax refunds.
I hope Im wrong but what I think they’re so backed up with all the refunds and they seriously dropped the ball in terms of getting ready for the day the controler released the tax refuns hold, that they’re just processing fefunds not by the date but in a bulk. so it doesn’t matter if you went out of your way to get youre w2s early and expecting it an early refund. The worst part is the lack of information. and that probably due to a lack to managing the returns. If this is true, I won’t expect my return until early April.
I really agree with someone who said the legislatures are working for special interst. I mean look at the new rebate for purchasing a new home. California has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation, it would make sense if they put a rebate to buy any home and have rebates to help those home owners who are on the bubble. fine put extra rebate for a new home purchases. but this just tells me they aren’t just on california payroll.
That’s it, Im moving to a place that isn’t as cash strapped as California – Zimbabwe, here I come.
Reply
If you read the stater controller press release on his web site it sounds like we may not get refunds for a while they are stalling,if they pay all refunds now the state will be in the 350 million because of lower than expected revenue through the first 3 months of the year!!
Reply
This state is a perfect example of where an irresponsible government can lead you…anyone see a correlation to the current federal government? Both legislative, executive and to an extent judicial branches are driving this country into the dirt both morally and economically.
Reply