Kansas taxes fell $217 million short in May

Kansas collected $217 million less in taxes than it expected in May, but officials in Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration say it’s the result of a temporary problem.

The Department of Revenue release preliminary figures Friday showing the state collected about $389 million in taxes during May, when it expected to collect about $606 million.

Tax collections also fell short in April, and the total two-month shortfall is nearly $310 million. The Associated Press obtained the figures shortly before their official release.

The state expected to collect $5.2 billion in taxes from July through May but took in only $4.9 billion, a difference of 5.9 percent.

Revenue Secretary Nick Jordan said the shortfall results from issues surrounding federal tax policy. He said he doesn’t expect future monthly shortfalls.

This story was originally published May 30, 2014 at 2:46 PM with the headline "Kansas taxes fell $217 million short in May."