Improved tax collections will allow the state to start paying out tax refunds earlier than July 1, Gov. Linda Lingle announced today.

Taxpayers who filed returns in January and February can expect refunds later this month, she said.

Refunds for taxpayers with direct deposit are to begin May 21, those expecting refund checks can expect them by May 28.

Lingle previously had said the state would withhold refunds until after the start of the new fiscal year July 1 in order to save $275 million to balance the budget in the current fiscal year.