RALEIGH (WRAL) -- Still waiting on your state income tax refund? You are not alone. Thousands of North Carolinians are still waiting for their checks.

The Armistos of Cary filed their return in early April, planning to use the refund for a vacation this week. The trip has been canceled.

"Finally, 16 weeks later, we got the check today, but we should have left for vacation last Saturday," Nancy Armisto said.

Staffing shortages, a new processing system and even January's snowstorm are causing delays, said Reggie Hinton of the N.C. Department of Revenue.

"Certainly, we do understand their concerns and the desire to get their returns as quickly as possible," Hinton said.

He says more than 2 million state returns have been processed and mailed, so far. But, 114,000 forms flagged for errors or complications are still delayed.

"It does not mean something is wrong with it necessarily. But, it does mean we do have to take a look at it before processing is completed," Hinton said.

Many critics believe the state holds on to the money longer to earn interest. But, taxpayers earn 8 percent annual interest for every day their returns are processed after June 1st.

http://www.wral-tv.com/news/wral/2000/0724-tax-delay/

-- Doris (reaper1@mindspring.com), July 25, 2000