On February 26, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony to the Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 1035 -Income Tax - Subtraction Modification - Overtime Compensation.  This bill allows Maryland residents to subtract certain overtime pay from their state income tax, effectively lowering the amount of tax they owe on those extra earnings. MACo steadfastly resists state-mandated reductions in local revenue that undermine fiscal autonomy. In today's fiscal climate of economic uncertainty…

On February 26, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony to the Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 903 - Income Tax - Subtraction Modification - Donations to Food Banks and Other Charitable Entities.  This bill allows Maryland taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by up to $1,000 for donations of food or money made to food banks and other charities. While counties support the goal of encouraging charitable giving and strengthening food…

On February 24, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 1142 - Task Force To Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures. This bill establishes a Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures to review and recommend updates to Maryland’s local revenue framework. With limited flexibility to diversify revenue sources, local governments face growing strain on homeowners and fewer tools to align revenues with modern economic…

On February 24, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 1096 - Property Tax Credits - Notice Through Property Tax Bill.  This bill requires counties and Baltimore City to include written notice with every property tax bill identifying all state and local property tax credits for which a taxpayer “may be eligible.” Counties share the goal of improving awareness of available relief programs, but this bill creates…

On February 24, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 1088 - Property Tax - Petition to Review Value of Commercial Real Property.  This bill authorizes a county or municipality to file a petition for review of the assessed value of specified commercial real property when that property sells for at least 20% more than its prior sales price. This proposal establishes a narrow, objective standard that…

On February 24, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 842 - Property Tax Exemption - Property Acquired by Surviving Spouse of Service Member - Repeal of Time Limitation with amendments.  Counties support efforts to provide meaningful property tax relief to eligible surviving spouses, but urge lawmakers to do so in a way that respects local fiscal realities. While the proposed legislation would eliminate the current two-year…

On February 19, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony to the Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 857 - Income Tax - Subtraction Modification for Military Retirement Income - Individuals Under the Age of 55. This bill would increase the amount of a subtraction modification under the Maryland income tax for military retirement income for individuals under 55 years of age. Counties enter this Session with escalating costs and increasing uncertainty surrounding…

On February 19, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony to the Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 761 - Income Tax - Subtraction Modification for Military Retirement Income (Keep Our Heroes Home Act). This bill would increase the existing maximum subtraction modification for military retirement income. MACo opposes state-mandated reductions in local revenue sources, but county governments welcome flexible, optional tools to serve and respond to local needs and community priorities. From…

On February 19, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally submitted written testimony to the Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 707 - Income Tax - Subtraction Modification - Retirement Income. This bill would allow certain individuals over 65 and certain disabled individuals to deduct certain types of retirement income from their taxable income. The bill proposes a three-year phase-in that would eventually allow eligible residents to deduct 100% of their qualified retirement income by the…