Auditors cite problems with state tax collection

State auditors found a number of problems with state tax collection in a report released Tuesday, including the failure to track down residents who had high incomes but filed no state tax returns. The state comptroller?s office also failed to identify taxpayers who claimed deductions and credits but did not report them on their federal tax returns as required.

Deputy Comptroller Linda Tanton and Compliance Division Director James Loftus responded in writing that the problems were largely due to a lack of personnel and computer services to follow up on the problems. But in the budget Gov. Martin O?Malley submitted and the legislature approved, the division will get 16 new employees and a new data warehouse.