Posted on 01/19/22
| News Source: WBAL TV
Franchot said the extended deadline is meant to assist taxpayers facing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The extension waives penalties and interest on outstanding liabilities.
"Many people are still struggling to stay above water, so giving taxpayers more time to file and pay will hopefully ease their financial pressure," Franchot said in a statement. "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-19, 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 the comptroller's office extended filing and payment deadlines to July 15. The comptroller's office said the extensions 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 as 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, the comptroller's office said.