The Department of Revenue in Missouri estimated about eight to ten weeks processing time for pending state income tax returns. But, the governor is hoping to do something about that. Gov. Jay Nixon on Thursday directed the department to accelerate the processing of Missourians’ tax returns, authorizing overtime and additional staffing and resources.

“Our budget is balanced and our economy is growing. The Department of Revenue needs to process these returns as quickly as possible while continuing to protect Missourians from fraud,” Gov. Nixon said. “I appreciate the Department’s work to protect taxpayers from fraud, but we also recognize the need to give people their money back. That’s why I’m making sure they have the resources they need to get the job done.”

In January, the Internal Revenue Service postponed certain deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in a disaster area. Because Missouri’s tax returns are dependent upon federal returns, the Department of Revenue extended the tax deadline to May 16, 2016, for taxpayers in 33 Missouri counties that were declared presidential disaster areas due to flooding.

Individuals who reside or have a business in Barry, Barton, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cole, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Maries, McDonald, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Scott, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster, and Wright counties may have qualified for the extended filing time.