The New York comptroller reports stopping $25 million in questionable or fraudulent personal state income tax refunds so far in 2016.

Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says his office has paid out 4.5 million state refunds totaling $4.2 billion.

Another 152,000 refunds totaling $134 million are expected to be paid in the coming days.

The comptroller’s office audits New York personal income tax refunds before payment.

Most stopped returns claimed refundable credits based on incorrect information like extra dependents or understated income.

Auditors also stopped more than $3.5 million in refunds they say were linked to unscrupulous tax preparers filing false returns.

Other noted scams include using questionable social security numbers and intentionally misstating deductions.

(AP)