ST. LOUIS — You're probably used to getting a tax refund every spring, but this year, the state of Missouri realized they made a big mistake and we may be the ones, stuck with the bill.
Here's how the problem started:
The State of Missouri has something called a withholding table. This essentially tells employers how much taxes they should take out of each paycheck to pay your state income taxes.
Back in September, they realized they made a mistake at least 10 years ago, and it had gone unnoticed.
They weren't taking enough money out each month.
So, that means some of you haven't been paying enough in state income taxes in almost all of 2018, and now that money is due.
The Missouri Department of Revenue says this mainly impacts those who haven't filed any exemptions on their tax returns.
So here's what could happen:
One, you may not notice much of a difference at all.
Two, your tax refund could be substantially lower this year, because of what you owe.
Three, you could have to write the state a check instead of getting a refund.
So, many of you may be thinking, "I haven't budgeted enough money to suddenly owe more money out of my pocket?"
A state legislature is hoping to help you out.
Because the state made the error here, when the Missouri General Assembly convenes Wednesday for the first time this year, House Minority Leader Crystal Quade is introducing legislation that would give you an extension and potentially a payment plan if you owe less than $200.
Quade tells 5 On Your Side, in addition to ensuring Missouri taxpayers have a filing extension, she also wants to "find out what's going on at the Department of Revenue.