Gov. Jay Nixon on Thursday directed the state Revenue Department to accelerate its processing of Missourians' tax returns.
The department had said it's been taking eight to 10 weeks to handle pending returns.
"Our budget is balanced and our economy is growing," Nixon said in a statement. "I appreciate the department's work to protect taxpayers from fraud, but we also recognize the need to give people their money back.
"That's why I'm making sure they have the resources they need to get the job done."
To help speed up the work, the governor authorized the department to pay overtime and bring in additional staffing and resources if needed.
In January, the federal Internal Revenue Service postponed some deadlines for taxpayers who reside, or have a business, in a disaster area.
Because Missouri's tax returns are dependent on federal returns, the Revenue Department extended the tax deadline to May 16 for taxpayers in 33 Missouri counties that were declared presidential disaster areas due to flooding.
Mid-Missouri counties affected by those possible delays include Cole, Camden, Gasconade, Maries, Morgan and Osage.
Last year, Nixon noted, the Revenue Department intercepted and stopped more than $85.5 million in fraudulent tax refunds.