The Kentucky Department of Revenue has slowed down issuing state tax refunds because of concerns of identity theft and other forms of fraud.
Department of Revenue Commissioner Dan Bork says the agency is implementing new security features that will cause a delay in some refunds. Bork said he understands some taxpayers might be frustrated. He said the agency is doing everything it can to return taxpayer money quickly, but added the safeguards are necessary to protect the state from fraud.
State officials say more than 85 percent of people filed tax returns electronically in 2014. Officials say the department stopped $16.5 million in fraudulent refund requests.