Two Days of Amnesty Left for Marylanders Who Owe State Taxes

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (October 28, 2009) – Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot reminds taxpayers that the deadline for the state’s tax amnesty, October 30, is just two days away.

Since the amnesty program began on September 1, 2009, more than 3,700 applications have been received and approximately $6.4 million in back taxes and interest have been paid.

“Maryland taxpayers should have no expectation that amnesty will be offered again,” Comptroller Franchot said. “I urge delinquent taxpayers to come forward and take advantage of this limited opportunity,” he added.

This year’s tax amnesty gives delinquent taxpayers a final opportunity to pay their Maryland tax liability with only one half of the interest owed and no civil penalties or fear of criminal prosecution. Previously assessed fraud penalties will not be waived. Taxpayers who fail to take advantage of this amnesty period face fines and possible jail sentences if they have not reported, paid, or under reported their tax liabilities prior to December 31, 2008.

Taxpayers who qualify for the program include those who have failed to file a return or pay eligible tax liabilities due on or before December 31, 2008, or have under reported taxes due on or before that date. Taxpayers under criminal investigation by the Attorney General’s Office, a state prosecutor, or a state’s attorney are not eligible for amnesty.

The following taxes are eligible for amnesty:

• Personal Income Tax
• Employer Withholding Tax
• Corporate Income Tax
• Sales and Use Tax
• Admissions and Amusement Tax

To obtain a tax amnesty application and other tax forms, visit www.marylandtaxes.com or call 410-260-7980 from central Maryland, or 1-800-MD-TAXES from elsewhere. In person help is available at the agency’s 11 local offices. A list of offices can be found on the Comptroller’s Web site.

On October 30, the program’s final day, the Comptroller’s field offices in Hagerstown, Salisbury Wheaton, Baltimore and Annapolis will be open until 8 p.m. and extended phone coverage will be available.