Thousands of Conn. tax returns already processed

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut tax officials say they've already processed more than 3,500 tax returns since the 2012 income tax filing season began on Jan. 22.

Commissioner Kevin Sullivan says Connecticut tax collections were not affected by the negotiations between Congress and President Barack Obama on the so-called federal fiscal cliff that delayed federal tax collections.

Connecticut has so far processed 3,833 electronic and paper returns and issued 1,225 refunds.

Sullivan says the taxpayers who do not chose direct deposit for refunds of less than $5,000 will again receive refunds in the form of a debit card that can be cashed at any VISA-affiliated bank or used to make purchases from vendors that accept VISA.