The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work to protect and grow county revenues in the 2018 General Assembly. 

Follow links for more coverage on Conduit Street and MACo’s Legislative Database. 

Recordation Tax Exemptions

MACo supported a bill that would exempt certain property transfers from recordation taxes – some of which are already exempt under existing law, or else a solid policy reason exists to make them exempt through this bill. The Senate amended out of the bill the exemption for general partnerships, at MACo’s request. General partnerships—unlike corporations, LLCs, and limited partnerships—are not required to file formation documents with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). What constitutes a general partnership is also sometimes a question of subjective intent.

Also, as originally introduced, the proposed legislation would have expanded an exemption by including in the definition of “original mortgagor” any entity that acquired title by a deed that is exempt from recordation taxes. However, the Senate limited this expansion to a reasonable number of transactions. MACo worked closely with the bill sponsor and with stakeholders to solidify county concerns. The bill passed both the House and the Senate unanimously and awaits the Governor’s signature.

Bill Information | MACo Coverage: Stakeholders Agree to Amendments on Recordation Tax Exemptions

School Field Trip Tax Exemption

MACo supported legislation that would authorize local governments to exempt school field trips from the admissions and amusement tax. Counties generally support legislation enabling counties to authorize tax exemptions by local ordinance, as opposed to bills which mandate those exemptions across the board. Unfortunately, the bill did not advance out of committee.

Bill Information | MACo Coverage: Counties: Clarify Tax Exemption Authority