There are only two certainties in life: death and taxes. This old adage has been spoken since time immemorial and was even used in witty dialogues from movies. Although people have no apparent control over the former, the inner workings of taxes can sometimes provide difficulties for normal residents and homeowners of this nation. Recognizing the need for a better taxation service, the office of the Comptroller of Maryland has provided valuable taxation resources and services for their local residents.
As part of these services, the office of the Comptroller has developed and improved the state’s Internet tax filing system which is fast becoming a valuable Maryland resource. Through the website, residents can file their personal income tax returns through an online electronic filing system. Tax schedules are posted as well as needed forms which residents can access at anytime.
Taxpayers encounter common problems with their returns like forgetting to file a personal income tax or a business tax return and missing the deadline. The website provides a valuable resource for these Maryland taxpayers by providing them information on what to do next or how to go about solving their tax problems. Maryland residents who missed the filing deadline can still utilize the resources offered by the website by allowing them to file their returns online, provided that they have all information ready for filing their returns. Payment plans or options to pay by credit card are provided, while the personal data of taxpayers are well protected through this service.
Aside from missed deadlines, common problems include missed returns for more than one tax period. To avoid fraud penalties or even criminal prosecution from the Attorney General’s office, delinquent taxpayers are advised to file their missing returns online using iFile for personal income taxes or bFile for sales tax and withholding tax returns. This valuable Maryland resource can also help people with no available funds to file their returns and arrange for an income tax payment plan. This is necessary to avoid the problems associated with missed returns. Non-residents who have business interests in this state can also utilize this Maryland resource. They can file returns on income generated in the state as well as registering their business online and file past-due returns.
The office of the Comptroller of Maryland has also provided information resources to residents to protect them against email and phishing scams. These unscrupulous entities attempt to lure taxpayers in providing financial information in the guise of an IRS stimulus refund. These scams are perpetrated through emails with enticing subject headers that lure recipients into opening emails and attachments.
In other tax-related efforts, the Comptroller’s office have succeeded in their efforts to crack down on tax evaders and corporations avoiding taxes using Delaware holding company schemes and other strategies. More than $267 million in taxes have already been collected through the Delaware Holding Company cases and another $143 million are collectible from companies using this tax-avoidance system.
The Comptroller’s office have also partnered with the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) to provide residents with direct government services and resources by providing access to insurance officials through Comptroller branches located throughout the state.
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