LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska has started its new fiscal year with lower-than-expected tax revenue for the first two months.

The Department of Revenue announced Monday that gross tax receipts in August totaled $468.8 million, which is 0.1 percent below the certified forecast of $469.2 million. The July gross tax receipts totaled $305 million, which was 2.2 percent below the certified forecast of $312 million.

After tax refunds, the August net receipts of $410 million was 0.4 percent above the forecast of $400 million.

The Nebraska Economic Forecasting and Advisory Board set the forecast in February.

The state has been preparing for a tight budget during the 2017 session. Gov. Pete Ricketts has directed state agency leaders to look carefully at whether new hires are necessary, to limit travel and delay some purchases.