Tax commission seeks state help

BOISE – Idaho tax collectors want another $11 million transfer from the state general fund to bolster the account they use to write refund checks to taxpayers. The Board of Examiners, which includes Gov. Butch Otter, will meet Tuesday on this latest Idaho Tax Commission request. Two similar transfers totaling $45 million have been needed since March because monthly tax collections trail forecasts and have failed to restock Idaho’s refund account quickly enough to make payouts. The transfers have helped avoid refund delays, but they underscore the possibility that Idaho will have to tap reserves or find other savings to balance its budget come June 30, as is required by law.