Guide to Finding Maryland Tax Lawyer

What is a Maryland Tax Lawyer?

A Maryland tax lawyer is qualified under the Maryland State Bar to practice law and provide legal assistance throughout the state of Maryland. Tax law is extremely complex and a MD tax lawyer will often specialize in one field tax law.

Tax attorneys will often seek professional education apart from law as well. For example, a well known and proficient Maryland tax lawyer will often receive professional education in economics, business, accounting, or similar field. Many MD tax lawyers are former accountants, certified financial analysts, or similar professionals who have furthered their career and moved into law.

Most MD tax lawyers practice within strong economic regions of the state. Most of these attorneys have their own private practices or practice within a firm around the areas of Baltimore, Towson, Frederick, Owings Mills, and Washington D.C.

How can I find a qualified tax attorney in MD?

There are numerous sources to help you find a qualified and well known Maryland tax lawyer. However, you should know when you need to find a tax attorney in the first place. If you are involved in any of the following situations, you should contact a MD tax lawyer right away:

• You have committed tax fraud and need protection

• You are under investigation by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

• You plan to file a suit against the IRS

• You have make estate planning strategies or need to file an estate tax return

• You are starting a business and need legal advice on how to structure taxes within you company

• You need help with contacts or tax treatment in international business ordeals

• You are facing bankruptcy and need help claiming and keeping your income taxes

If you are involved in any of the situations above, you should contact a Maryland tax lawyer right away. In order to find an appropriate tax attorney, you should firstly ask people you know. If you know a family member, friend, or coworker who uses the services of a tax lawyer, you should ask them for a personal referral.

Secondly, you should consider researching many of the lawyer associations around the state. A Maryland tax lawyer must be associated with the Maryland State Bar, but they will often belong to any number of other associations based upon their interests and personal characteristics. In order to view a complete list of local lawyer associations around the state, you should visit the state bar.

Are there any changes in Maryland Tax Law that a lawyer and client should know about?

As of February 1st, 2012, there have been many changes within Maryland state law. You should be aware of all of these changes as a taxpayer. Many of the laws allow people to file more tax reductions, and there are laws regarding Income Tax, Sales and Use Tax, Admission and Amusement Tax, Motor Fuel Tax, and Estate Tax. Some of the laws will be explained below, but visit the Maryland General Assembly’s website if you want to view the laws directly.

Income Tax

You may want to talk with your Maryland tax lawyer regarding the changes in the following laws:

1) Under Section 10-208(i-1) of the Tax-General Article, active members of the Maryland Defense Force can now qualify for an income subtraction modification of $3,500.

2) Section 10-717 states that a teacher at a state of local correctional facility can now claim credit against the state income tax for up to $1,500 of tuition paid for graduate level courses. You should discuss the provisions of this law with your MD tax lawyer.

3) Senate Bill 958 (Chapter 565, Acts of 2011) allows energy resources to qualify for the Maryland clean energy incentive tax credit that are separated from nonhazardous waste material.

4) Senate Bill 959 (Chapter 566, Acts of 2011) extends the credit for bio-heating oil to December 31, 2017.

5) House Bill 72 (Chapter 397, Acts of 2011) prohibits the Motor Vehicle Administration from renewing or transferring vehicle registration until an applicant fulfilled all taxes and/or unemployment insurance contributions. All funds must be made payable to the Comptroller of the Secretary of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation.

6) House Bill 163 (Chapter 402, Acts of 2011) allows owners of new electric vehicle recharging equipment to claim a credit worth 20% of the cost of the equipment. There are also other conditions to this law, and you should talk with your Maryland tax lawyer if you have any questions.

7) House Bill 587 (Chapter 349, Acts of 2011) allow biotechnology companies that have been actively in business for up to 15 years to qualify for investments under the Biotechnology Investment Tax Credits. There are detailed provisions to this law, and a business owner should talk to a MD tax lawyer if they have any questions.

8) House Bill 1196 (Chapter 383, Acts of 2011) allow the Maryland Historic Trust to charge certification fees for high-performance buildings and certified rehabilitation structures up to 3%. This act also mandates how the funds should be used.

Sale and Use Tax

If you have any questions about the following laws, you should contact a MD tax lawyer.

1) Senate Bill 398 (Chapter 461) and House Bill 502 (Chapter 462, Acts of 2011) allows a sales and use tax exemptions for the sale of electricity to residential areas from solar energy equipment and residential wind turbine equipment.

2) House Bill 823 (Chapter 362, Acts of 2011) allows a tax exemption for nonprofit food vendors at a youth sporting events. The exemption states that sales can’t be made inside an enclosed structure, and it applies to sales of food, bottled water, soft drinks, and candy.

Motor Fuel Tax

If you are a business owner and have questions about the following law, you should contact a Maryland tax lawyer.

1) Senate Bill 145 (Chapter 31, Acts of 2011) places personal liability upon the manager of fiscal responsibility in a limited liability company for unpaid motor fuel taxes, interest, and penalties.

Estate Tax

1) Senate Bill 512 (Chapter 241, Acts of 2011) allows the Comptroller to grant an extension of the deferred payment period of the estate taxes under agricultural property. Also, if a payment deferral is allowed, a qualified person can pay the deferred Maryland estate tax without interest beginning in the 4th year of the due date. This act applies to qualified recipients who have applications to put the land of the estate under permanent land conservation with the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation or Rural Legacy Board.

The above laws apply to Maryland specifically, and more laws may apply to your given situation. If you have any questions, it’s best you consult with a MD tax lawyer.