How does this policy work? The DTE do not issue an acknowledgement of the submission of your refund application let alone any details of its progress. If the DTE issued a certificate that the refund had been applied for then this could be used to pay outstanding taxes. If subequently the refund was deemed not payable then the tax would then again become payable. It is morally wrong for a government to put more resources into collecting taxes whilst not providing adequate resources for its citizens to get the refunds that they are legally entitled to. They are also threathening any remaining employment for business who are cash strapped awaiting the refunds.