All MD Comptroller Branch Offices Closed; Taxpayer Assistance Still Available Via Email and Phone
Taxpayers may experience longer response times due to office closures and reduced staffing
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (March 19, 2020) - As concerns about public health and containment of the COVID-19 pandemic grows, Comptroller Peter Franchot has announced that all of the agency’s branch offices throughout the state will close at the end of business today (4:30 p.m.) and will remain closed until further notice.
Earlier today, Gov. Larry Hogan announced that social gatherings will be limited to no more than 10 people and that all entertainment venues will be closed. With increasing cases of COVID-19 reported throughout Maryland, Comptroller Franchot made the decision to close the remaining branch offices to protect the health of employees and members of the public. Most of the branch offices remained open earlier this week to assist walk-in taxpayers during the busy tax season.
“We want to take every precaution to keep our employees, their families and citizens as safe as possible from the spread of this disease,” Comptroller Franchot said. “Taxpayers have many options to complete their tax returns. They can still file electronically and have their questions answered via phone or email. We have extended nearly every deadline for payment of state taxes to help families facing employment challenges and to keep cash flowing in our economy, as well as to reduce the volume of assistance provided by our taxpayer services agents."
Taxpayers are urged to file their Maryland state income tax returns electronically, including the use of direct deposit for refunds. Taxpayers also can email their questions to taxhelp@marylandtaxes.gov or call 1-800-MD-TAXES for help weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. (extended hours during tax season remain in effect).
In recent days, as citizens and small business owners cope with the state of emergency, Comptroller Franchot announced several deadline extensions for income, corporate and business tax payments. They are as follows:
April 15 – Filing deadline for federal income tax or to file a federal extension. No separate Maryland extension is necessary if you file a federal extension.
June 1 – Returns and payments are due for Maryland business-related taxes not collected in March, April and May including sales and use tax, withholding tax, and admissions & amusement tax, alcohol tax, tobacco tax, and motor fuel tax, as well as tire recycling fee and bay restoration fee returns.
July 15 – Deadline for Maryland individual, corporate, pass through entity, and fiduciary income tax payments, as well as March quarterly estimated payments.
October 15 - Deadline for filing Maryland income tax returns if a federal extension was filed.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Susan O'Brien - sobrien@marylandtaxes.gov
410-260-7305 (office); 443-875-8540 (mobile)
Alan Brody - abrody@marylandtaxes.gov
410-260-6346 (office); 443-924-1473 (mobile)
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