First State Income Tax Returns Issued

Some New York State residents have gotten their state tax returns back already.

The State Department of Taxation and Finance announced that 87 refunds totaling more than $15,000 were direct deposited into taxpayer bank accounts today.

The average refund was $183 and the refunds range up to $1,356.

Each of the taxpayers used the State's new Income Tax Web File that enables state returns to be prepared and e-filed earlier than before for free.

The Department of Taxation and Finance says e-filing is safer, faster and more accurate than paper filing and you'll get your return at least twice as fast.