Our March meeting will NOW be held in the Media Center at Lindale Middle School this coming Wednesday, March 9th at 7pm. Please enter through the main doors of the school that face Andover Rd. While masks are optional and to be worn at your discretion. Per inquiries on about opting to Zoom, there are no plans as of now, but if things should change or a post-recording will be available, we will certainly let you know. Hope to see you there.
The LSIA March Monitor has now been emailed to our membership. We ask that each member respond to a very brief survey concerning our upcoming March 9th meeting at 7pm at their earliest convenience.
Franchot Announces Three-Month Filing and Payment Extension for 2021 State Individual Income Taxes
Maryland taxpayers have until July 15 to file and pay with no penalty or interest; Federal income tax deadline is April 18
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (January 19, 2022) — Comptroller Peter Franchot announced today the filing and payment deadline for 2021 Maryland state individual income taxes has been extended by three months – to Friday, July 15, 2022 – to assist taxpayers facing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The extension announcement came during a virtual news conference with agency officials to discuss the January 24 start date of the 2022 tax season, which is when federal and state individual income tax returns will be accepted. Federal and state corporate income tax returns are already being processed.
Comptroller Franchot’s decision to extend the filing and payment deadlines – essentially a waiver of penalties and interest on outstanding liabilities – from Monday, April 18, 2022 to Friday, July 15, 2022 reflects the pandemic’s continued impact on Maryland individuals and families.
“Many people are still struggling to stay above water, so giving taxpayers more time to file and pay will hopefully ease their financial pressure,” Comptroller Franchot said. “As we approach the two-year mark of the onset of COVID-19, my agency remains as committed as ever to helping Marylanders who still are feeling the pandemic’s impact.”
The Internal Revenue Service, which already has warned of processing delays for the 2022 tax season due to COVID, has not indicated any plans to extend the federal income tax filing and payment deadline beyond April 18.
This is the third consecutive year that Comptroller Franchot has extended filing and payment deadlines to July 15. Those extensions have benefitted roughly 600,000 taxpayers each of the past two years, enabling them to hold on to a combined $1.8 billion as an interest-free loan, which may have allowed them to take care of more pressing issues like paying rent or keeping their businesses open.
Maryland taxpayers do not need to request an extension to receive the three-month grace period; it will be automatically granted to all resident and nonresident filers. Taxpayers who expect to receive a refund should file their return as soon as possible and not wait until July 15 to submit.
Comptroller Franchot reminded taxpayers that changes made last year to both the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the state Earned Income Credit (EIC) may benefit them, particularly Marylanders who file using an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).
“These important credits are a proven tool to help lift low-to-moderate income earners out of poverty,” Comptroller Franchot said. “All taxpayers should check whether they’re eligible for the programs, which can substantially reduce or even eliminate your federal and state tax liabilities.”
With the Omicron variant spreading in communities across the state, Comptroller Franchot has instituted several operational protocols to keep employees and the public safe.
Appointments at any of the agency’s 12 branch offices must be scheduled online in advance. Virtual appointments also are available. No walk-ins will be accepted. Masks are required in all branch offices, regardless of vaccination status.
Taxpayers can call 1-800-MD-TAXES or email taxhelp@marylandtaxes.gov. The agency’s branch offices and call centers are both open 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Beginning February 1, the call center will remain open until 7 p.m., only for personal income tax assistance.
For questions related to federal taxes, visit www.irs.gov or call Taxpayer Advocate Service at 443-853-6000 or 877-777-4778 (outside the Baltimore area). You can also get federal tax help at seven Maryland Taxpayer Assistance Centers.
As always, taxpayers are encouraged to file their returns electronically and use direct deposit for the fastest possible processing and to ensure they receive all possible refunds and to avoid continued delays with the United States Postal Service. A list of approved vendors for use in filing your electronic return can be found on the Comptroller’s website.
Maryland taxpayers also can use the agency’s free I-File system.
Last year, the agency processed 3.29 million tax returns, distributed 2.61 million refunds with a dollar value of $3.2 billion. Comptroller employees answered nearly 700,000 phone calls, responded to almost 160,000 emails and assisted roughly 22,000 taxpayers through virtual or in-person appointments.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Susan O'Brien - sobrien@marylandtaxes.gov
Alan Brody - abrody@marylandtaxes.gov
Community Meeting 1/12/22 at 7pm
Please join us for tonight's LSIA Community Meeting at 7pm. It will NOT be held in person, but via Zoom. Kelli Boulware from SHA will be our guest speaker, along with Northern AACPD. County and state representatives may also be joining us.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Jan 12, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: LSIA Monthly Meeting - Jan 2022
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89272055625?pwd=NDNndXgwZzdHZ2RldnBtcDBWd1RGZz09
Passcode: 216311
Or One tap mobile :
US: +13017158592,,89272055625#,,,,*216311# or
+16465588656,,89272055625#,,,,*216311#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 301 715 8592 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 312 626 6799 or
+1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128
Webinar ID: 892 7205 5625
Passcode: 216311
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdMs0gz5bI
County Executive Pittman, Department of Health Announce Distribution Plans for 100,000 COVID Test Kits
County will work with private sector partners along with nonprofits and government agencies to get free at-home rapid test kits to residents before end of year holidays
Hanover, MD (December 21, 2021) - Standing outside Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, Anne Arundel Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, and partners from public and private sector entities announced distribution plans for 100,000 free at-home rapid test kits.
“With COVID cases and hospitalizations increasing and the holidays upon us, we wanted to provide residents with easy, free access to at-home rapid tests,” County Executive Steuart Pittman said. “I want to thank all of the partners who are helping us with distribution - getting these tests out into our communities will help us all celebrate the holidays safely.”
Free rapid at-home test kits will be available throughout the County in the coming days. Kits will be distributed while supplies last, with a limit of three boxes per household. Each box contains one test. Locations for distribution:
Annapolis Exchange, 1955 Annapolis Exchange, Annapolis. Kits will be available for pickup Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 8am-11am. Kits will not be distributed on Friday, Dec. 24.
Baymeadow parking lot, 6701 Baymeadow Drive, Glen Burnie. Kits will be available for pickup Tuesdays/Thursdays from 8am-11AM.
Maryland Live! Casino and Hotel, 7002 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover. Kits will be distributed from 12noon - 5pm starting Wednesday, Dec. 22 through Friday Dec. 24, while supplies last. Operations will resume on Monday, Dec. 27, with the intention of running through Thursday, Dec. 30. Residents can enter using the outside ramp to the event center located on the Hotel side of the building.
Westfield Annapolis, 2002 Annapolis Mall, Annapolis. Kits will be available beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 21. For information on the mall’s test kit distribution, visit https://www.westfield.com/annapolis.
Arundel Mills, 7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover. Kits may be picked up at guest services or the mall office.
Anne Arundel County Public Libraries. Kits will be distributed at all locations during operating hours.
Anne Arundel County Fire Department. Kits will be distributed from 10am-6pm starting Tuesday, Dec. 21 through Thursday, Dec. 23.
Fire Station 33, 15 Central Ave., Glen Burnie
Fire Station 3, 3123 Riva Rd, Riva
Fire Station 12, 161 Ritchie Hwy, Severna Park
Fire Station 27,3498 Fort Meade Rd, Laurel
Anne Arundel County Police Department. Kits will be distributed from 11am-6pm on Tuesday, Dec. 21, through Thursday, Dec. 23.
Northern District Police Station, 939 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park
Southern District Police Station 35 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater
Eastern District Police Station, 204 Pasadena Road, Pasadena
Western District Police Station, 8273 Telegraph Road, Odenton
Anne Arundel County government offices. Kits will be distributed at building security desks from 12pm-4pm on Tuesday, Dec. 21, and 9am-4pm Wednesday, Dec. 22 through Thursday, Dec. 23.
Heritage Office complex, 2662 Riva Road, Annapolis.
County Government Building, 1 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis.
Henry L. Hein Public Service Building, 7480 Baltimore and Annapolis Blvd, Glen Burnie.
“We are pleased to partner with the County Executive’s office to make Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland available as a distribution center for free COVID-19 test kits for the community. We hope our guests, employees and local residents take advantage of these tests to help ensure that they can safely enjoy the holiday with friends and family,” said Anthony Faranca, executive vice president and general manager of Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland.
"We are thankful for this partnership with County Executive Pittman and the Department of Health, providing our guests, employees, and local residents an opportunity to get test kits to celebrate the holidays safely with family and friends," said Steve Stavropoulos, Westfield Annapolis Mall general manager.
“We want to thank County Executive Pittman and his team for partnering with us to provide test kits, to help our guests, staff, and local residents safely enjoy the holiday season with friends and family,” said Gene Condon, vice president and general manager of Arundel Mills.
The distribution of at-home kits comes amid rising hospitalizations and case rates across the county and the state. Recent data shows COVID hospitalizations have more than doubled in the past three weeks to nearly 100 people in advance of the year-end holiday season.
“These at home rapid tests give everyone an additional tool to protect themselves and their families. Testing when you have symptoms, have been exposed to someone with Covid, or before you gather, decreases spread,” Anne Arundel County Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman said. “As case rates and hospitalizations rise, testing, getting your first vaccine or a booster, and masking in public areas are crucial to keeping us safer over the next few months.”
For more information on where to obtain test kits, visit www.aacounty.org. For information on where to get vaccination or booster appointments, go to www.aahealth.org/covidvax.