Kansas revenue exceeds April projection as individual income tax collections top estimate
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican House Speaker Dan Hawkins offered different perspectives on a state tax revenue report for April that showed collections above expectations but below receipts in April 2024. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)
TOPEKA — Revenue from income, sales and an assortment of tobacco, liquor and energy taxes in Kansas exceeded projections in April by 1.3%, but represented a year-to-year decline of $83 million from April 2024, state officials said.
The state reported $1.33 billion in total tax collections last month as the Kansas Department of Revenue took in $17.6 million more than anticipated by state fiscal analysts. The monthly total represented a reduction in revenue of 5.9% from April of last year.
'Kansas' current financial health is strong, but we must remain committed to fiscally responsible budgeting to ensure lasting stability in the future,' said Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.
House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican expected to seek the GOP nomination for insurance commissioner in 2026, said the latest monthly report indicated the governor's hesitancy to support larger tax cuts was misplaced. In June 2024, Kelly signed a three-year $1.3 billion tax cut bill.
'It's very encouraging to see April revenue numbers come in greater than expected,' Hawkins said.
He said the monthly report in April demonstrated Kelly's 'dire predictions were all just an attempt to derail much-needed tax relief.'
In the 2025 legislative session, the Republican-led House and Senate passed a bill earmarking future state revenue surpluses to reduction in individual or corporate income tax rates. Lawmakers had promised to focus on property tax reform during the annual session, and did replace a 1.5-mill state property tax levy with revenue from income and sales tax collections.
'I hope in the future the governor will stop with the doom and gloom and join us in looking out for the best interests of Kansas families,' Hawkins said.
In April, individual income tax collections were $684 million, which amounted to an unexpected surged of $10 million. That total was 1.5% above the monthly estimate. In April 2024, the state took in $740 million in individual income taxes. That equated to a year-to-year decline of $55 million or 7.5%.
Corporate income tax collections in Kansas settled at $316 million last month, the Department of Revenue said. That was $1.3 million or 0.4% greater than projected. However, the tally was below the $338 million received in April 2024 and amounted to a reduction of 6.4% or $21 million from a year ago.
The Department of Revenue said state retail sales and compensating use tax receipts for April were $296 million — $5.5 million or 1.9% above the estimate. In April 2024, Kansas took in $1.2 million or 0.4% less in sales and compensating use taxes.
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