The California Department of Finance said state revenues rose $5 billion above estimates in the governor’s proposed budget, mainly due to a big increase in personal income tax receipts. Much of the increase may reflect shifting payment schedules rather than real revenue growth, the department noted.
Personal income tax revenues rose $4.9 billion above Gov. Jerry Brown’s forecast of $7 billion, according to a cash report from the administration last week.
The budget office said that increase was “likely the result of major tax law changes at the federal and state level having a significant impact in the timing of revenue receipts.”
The department said the passage of Proposition 30, which raises income taxes on the wealthy, caused people to pay a larger share in January rather than wait until April, as forecast in the budget.
The expectation of federal tax hikes that came to pass also played a role, according to the finance schedule.
“It appears there may have been a larger shift in income from 2013 to 2012 than expected, which would be reflected in higher estimated payments made in January,” the report said.
California Controller John Chiang said last week that January revenues came in $4.3 billion above estimates in the governor’s proposed budget. The difference in the two reports is due to timing and methodology.
