A state audit shows the revenue department has returned about $120-Million in overpaid sales taxes to businesses in the last two years. Auditor Claire McCaskill says much of the money is returned because the businesses overpaid the state. But she says millions of dollars comes from customers who are charged too much sales tax. And, in those cases, the business keeps the money. She admits it’s hard to give that money back to customers who’ve been over charged. She says the state has created a climate that encourages businesses to cheat in collecting sales taxes. She’s called on the Legislature at least twice before to correct the problem.
