Tax collections in Kansas were $30 million below estimates for the month of August. The state’s tax revenues were hurt by large tax refunds given to companies as part of economic development programs. Secretary of Revenue Nick Jordan says there were bright spots in other areas of the tax numbers and the report would have looked significantly better without the large refunds.
“So overall, probably would have hit, if not exceeded, our tax estimates. We had the refunds, again, I don’t want to be critical of those refunds. They include growth, they include economic development programs that really create a good economy for the state of Kansas, but they are something that we have to account for,” says Jordan.
This is the first month in which the revenue report was expanded to include more information. Budget adjustments announced in July helped the overall picture of the state’s finances. When including tax revenue, budget transfers and other state income, the overall revenue shortfall stands at $6.4 million in August.