(WXYZ) — A Lincoln Park woman waited months for her state income tax refund to arrive in the mail. When she found out the state was verifying her identity, she called 7 Action News to find out why it was taking so long.
Last Month, 7 Action News reported on a security measure connected to state income tax returns aimed at protecting Michiganders from identity theft, but Jane Dean complained that the process was leaving her financially strapped.
“If you don't get this refund for six months, how will this impact you,” I asked the Lincoln Park woman in early June.
“A lot. A lot,” Jane Dean replied.
Dean said she was worried about how she was going to afford to fix her car and pay other bills without her more than $900 state income tax refund.
“It's been really frustrating and stressful,” Jane explained.
She paper filed back in February. Then she received a letter from the Michigan Department of Treasury in April indicating that her income tax return was selected for review. She followed the instructions to verify her identity, mailed the requested documents to the state, and was still waiting for her refund in early June.
“And I'm all for [this security measure], with all the fraud going on, but they said that it could take...up to 12 weeks. Well, that's three months. That's a hardship for me and for other people,” said Jane.
I contacted the State Department of Treasury, and while a spokesperson could not talk about Jane Dean’s case specifically, he told me that the state’s ID verification process has prevented $4.6 million in individual income tax refunds from being stolen by cybercriminals.
I also found out that taxpayers waiting for their refunds should contact the number provided by the state in their letter they received in the mail. But if they are still concerned about the process, they can also contact Michigan’s Taxpayer Advocate online or by calling 517-636-4759.
Jane Dean said she called both numbers.
Less than a week after my initial story about Jane's case was posted, she received her state income tax refund check in the mail for the amount she expected — $986.00.
"We had a big celebration at the mailbox,” said Jane. “Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus. Yes! Yes! Relief!"
“The fact that you finally got this money, how will it help you,” I asked.
“It helped me catch up on some bills and be able to breathe for a minute,” she said. “And I'm sure [the story helped] other people as well who finally got through the red tape."
Jane Dean told 7 Action News that she applauds the process of trying to protect taxpayers from falling victim to cybercriminals, but she just wants the state to speed up the process.
“I can’t thank you guys enough,” said Jane.
