Dear Friend,

It has been a very busy Legislative Session and we are past halfway! My team and I hit the ground running with our legislative package aimed at making government work better and more equitably for Marylanders. 

This year I have brought several bills - each of which exemplifies my commitment to creating an office that is focused on building communities that are more equitable, more resilient, and more prosperous. 

• The Tax Assistance for Low-Income Marylanders bill will provide funding for Low-Income Tax Clinics, the CASH Campaign, and will create a grant program to incentivize mobile or on-demand tax clinics in underserved or under-resourced areas. The Maryland tax code can be a tool to help alleviate poverty, but can be challenging to navigate. This bill will make tools to provide tax assistance more accessible to all!
• The Electronic Tax and Fee Return Filing Requirements bill sets a timeline for when all business tax filings and personal income taxes must be filed online. This bill will allow taxpayers to see improved response times. The Comptroller's Office will be able to better use agency resources, and there will be reduced risk from lost or stolen mail due to the security of electronic payments.
• The Stop Scam Tax Preparers Act will direct the Maryland Board of Individual Tax Preparers to create a code of ethics for all tax preparers, which will strengthen protections for Marylanders who utilize the services of a registered tax preparer. 
• The Individual Income Tax Credit Eligibility Awareness Campaign will create funding to support targeted outreach and education on personal income tax credits. With the implementation of this bill, the State of Maryland will be investing resources to ensure we can alert likely eligible Marylanders of their ability to claim personal tax credits. The tax credits are critical resources that will help Marylanders to pay their bills, feed their families, save for needed expenses and more. 
• The Tax Compliance Activity and Binding Data Use Agreements bill will strengthen Maryland's protections for confidential tax data and allow us to work with partners in the tax industry to help close the tax gap. 

Partnering with the Maryland General Assembly has been a key element to create a more efficient, modernized Comptroller's Office! I look forward to the progress this legislation will make in the upcoming weeks and months. Thank you for your suppport, and please stay safe, be well, and keep in touch!

My best,

(She, Her, Hers)