Maryland announced Thursday the deadline for filing state taxes for certain taxpayers will be extended from April 15 to July 15, with no penalties incurred.
In a “Tax Alert” page of the Comptroller of Maryland Office’s website Thursday, the reasons for the extension included new laws passed by the General Assembly and federal regulations, all due to the coronavirus pandemic, that could have an impact on residents’ taxes.
Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot said the numerous changes were unprecedented.
“We’ve never before seen so many changes to the current year’s tax code in the midst of the tax filing season,” Franchot said, WTTG-TV (Channel 5) reported. “We’re realistic about the burden this puts on taxpayers, tax preparers and our staff, which is why I’m taking this emergency action to extend the tax filing deadline to July 15.”
While Maryland has opted to push back its deadlines for taxes, that’s not the case for the IRS. The agency said last month the tax deadline will be April 15, the traditional date for filing federal taxes.
Last year, in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic, the IRS extended its filing deadline to July 15.
Some tax professionals and members of Congress such as Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.), the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has oversight over the IRS, have called on the government to delay the April 15 deadline for filing taxes.
