According to the division of administration, the state of Louisiana continues to collect over $26 million in duplicate income tax refunds mistakenly issued after a computer error.

Taxpayers should not take any action.

“The first thing I would do if I get a duplicate refund I would not spend the duplicate check because it will be taken out of that account either electronically or a refund will be mandated by the state,” recommends state senator Fred Mills

The DOA says a computer error affected direct deposit and debit card tax refunds processed for payment on Tuesday, March 12th.

This resulted in those same refunds being duplicated on Wednesday, March 13th.

“It’s a duplicate payment that was wired into individual accounts so what banks have been notified is to make sure that one of the duplicate payments are debited out of the account,” Mills says.  

The error was identified and the state immediately began the reversal process, as well as implementing procedures to prevent any recurrences.

“This is not one that somebody should be worried about their account being breached or cybersecurity took place. that’s not an issue. it really should be where the bank can take care of this for you,” says Mills. 

The DOA says if the state can’t recover the refunds directly from the banks, taxpayers will get a letter from the department of revenue with repayment instructions.

“Sooner or later, the state would make a best attempt to recoup the error in the payment so if you’ve been given two checks and you should be getting one, just please, just spend one check or save one check,”  Mills says.      

The DOA says more than 66 thousand state income taxpayers received duplicate refunds.

The computer system error did not result in any breach of personal taxpayer information.