Tips to Speed Your State Income Tax Refund

Many state individual income tax refunds are unnecessarily delayed because of common errors or omissions by taxpayers according to Louisiana Secretary of Revenue Cynthia Bridges.

A leading cause of a delayed refund is the taxpayer’s failure to check the change of address box on the tax return. “We have noticed this problem many times this tax season,” Bridges said. “Any refund sent to an incorrect address is returned to the Department of Revenue by the post office and results in a substantial delay to the taxpayer.”

The Department of Revenue has a helpful checklist to avoid delayed refunds:

File electronically. Taxpayers who file electronically often have more accurate returns and receive their refunds faster. You may also have your refund deposited directly into your bank account. Visit Louisiana File Online at fileonline.revenue.louisiana.gov. There are no fees associated with its use.

Check the accuracy of your information. This includes all Social Security Numbers on the return, your address, and all tax computations. Using the wrong tax table and mathematical mistakes are leading causes of processing delays

Be sure to sign the return (spouse also, if applicable).

Attach all W-2 forms and necessary schedules. Use paperclips to attach forms to your tax return. Please do not staple.