(Radio Iowa) — State tax collections dropped nine percent in March. That drop is NOT due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Legislative Services Agency. It happened because the State of Iowa sent out 70 MILLION dollars more in state income tax refunds THIS March compared to LAST March. The state fiscal year began July 1st.

Through March 31st, there’s been a four-point-two percent increase in total state tax receipts. The first impact of the pandemic — the closure of many businesses and layoffs for thousands — will be shown by the end of April report on state tax collections.