TOPEKA (AP) – Kansas officials say the state is finishing 2012 with strong revenue collections, beating estimates by $30 million for December.

The Revenue Department said Monday the state collected $602 million in December, compared with the $572 million that had been forecast. Individual income tax payments in December played a big role, exceeding estimates by $27 million.

December sales tax revenues came in at $184.6 million, about $5 million less than expected.

The department also said revenue collections are running $32.7 million ahead of projections for the first half of the fiscal year that began July 1.

Revenue Secretary Nick Jordan called Monday’s report a positive sign for the Kansas economy.