MD Tax Preparers Deemed Essential Service Under Executive Order

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Tax preparation services are considered an essential service and may remain open for business during the state’s coronavirus emergency response, Comptroller Peter Franchot said Wednesday.

“Tax preparation services fall under ‘financial services’ as outlined in the list of exempt businesses in Governor Hogan’s March 23rd executive order, and therefore should remain open as a critical infrastructure sector," Franchot said in a statement. “Our agency regards tax preparers as a vital financial service that is available to taxpayers."

State and federal authorities have postponed the filing deadlines for individual and corporate income tax filings and payments to July 15 and for business-related tax payments to June 1.

“Even with delayed due dates, continued assistance from these services to both individual and business taxpayers will help ensure that the tax filing and payment processes remain timely and accurate," Franchot said in a news release. ...“Our fraud detection teams will be more vigilant than ever, during this time of unprecedented economic volatility, in protecting Maryland taxpayers from sleazy preparers who seek to profit from the vulnerability of others.”

Taxpayers with any questions about the status of a tax preparer, or to report possible illegal or unethical conduct, should email the comptroller’s office at taxhelp@marylandtaxes.gov. An updated list of blocked tax preparers is posted at www.marylandtaxes.gov under the “Security” tab.

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