Comptroller Franchot Urging E-Filing of Taxes to Save Millions and Get Returns Faster

ANNAPOLIS - 2/11/2009

Printer friendly

By Pete Hurrey

EDITOR’S NOTE: On Wednesday, Feb. 4, Maryland’s Comptroller invited 5 media and news organizations to join him for an informal look at the State’s economic situation and to discuss what needs to be accomplished in order to move Maryland through the difficult economy. TBN was the sole news organization invited from Southern Maryland to attend that meeting. During the meeting, everything from ethnic diversity to delinquent child support payment was discussed with open candor. What follows is the second of three planned articles about the information provided.   With the economy continuing to slide, with no end in sight, and the outlook for federal relief still up in the air, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot has had to take some serious measures to keep the State’s coffers functioning.   In an interview on Feb. 4 with five media outlets including TBN, Franchot made it clear that the State is suffering from the deteriorated economy the same as every other entity and, because of that, there are some things the citizens of Maryland can do to help trim the budget numbers. One of those is perhaps the easiest – filing Maryland State income taxes online.   “Now more than ever before I am urging all Marylanders to file electronically and sign up for direct deposit. Those who do will still receive their refunds within a few days,” said Franchot. “In the past, with the help of hundreds of temporary employees we have been able to process a paper return within two weeks. However, this year every taxpayer should know that without our usual resources, paper returns could take up to a month to process. So filing electronically is the best way to ho to ensure a quick refund while also saving the State money.”   In years past the State hired up to 140 temporary employees during the tax season. This year, because budget constraints caused by the economy, no more than 70 employees will be brought on. Cutting the workforce in half saves the State money but lengthens the time it takes to process a paper tax return.   Franchot has asked his entire staff to assist in the return process, and e-filing is still the most ideal method to ensure that taxpayers receive refunds within a few days. Paper returns cost $1.98 each to process. A return filed electronically only costs the State $.38, a whopping 81 percent savings which, to date has saved the state over $14 million. If more people filed electronically, the savings could be enormous.   To learn more about e-filing, go to www.marylandtaxes.com or call 1 (800)-MD-TAXES.

News Feedback NOTE: Views expressed below do not reflect the views or opinions of The Bay Net, Bay Media Services, Inc. or the employees of Bay Media Services, Inc.

Be The First To Comment On This Story!

Send This Story to a Friend!

Your E-Mail: Their E-Mail: Comments: Security Code:

---