An Idaho official says some 645,000 income tax rebates totaling $169 million have been sent out so far this year.
Idaho Division of Financial Management Administrator Alex Adams told lawmakers on a finance committee that the average rebate has been $248.
The rebates are part of tax relief legislation passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Republican Gov. Brad Little earlier this year.
The legislation passed the House and Senate with no support from Democrats, who said it mainly benefited the wealthy.
The legislation included $220 million in one-time income tax rebates and $163 million in ongoing income tax relief. Part of the ongoing income tax relief comes from reducing the number of tax brackets from seven to five and lowering the top bracket from 6.9% to 6.5%.
When he signed the legislation into law in May, the governor said cutting the number of tax brackets and reducing the top rate would make the state more competitive in keeping businesses and attracting businesses from other states. (AP)
