Taxes
If you are having difficulty with the Internal Revenue Service, my office may be able to help. (Maryland state taxes are handled by the Maryland Office of the Comptroller. For state tax and property tax issues, your state representatives are in the best position to assist you with this process. Contact information for your state senator and delegates can be found at www.mdelect.net.)
The IRS’s Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assists in recovering missing tax refunds, expediting the release of levies, evaluating taxpayers for Currently Not Collectible status, and more. Please note that the IRS warns taxpayers with seriously delinquent debt that they may be at risk of having their passport revoked.
Before I can make an inquiry with the Taxpayer Advocate Service on your behalf, the Privacy Act of 1974 requires that you give me your written authorization. To do so, please complete this Privacy Release Form. If you file jointly, then the IRS requires that each spouse signs a privacy release.
While my office can help you in a number of ways, Senate ethics rules prohibit me from providing legal or tax advice on your behalf.
Tax Information from the IRS:
Earned Income Tax Credit
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is the federal government's largest benefit program for working families. To check your eligibility and learn how to claim the credit, click here.
Contact information for your local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center can be found at https://apps.irs.gov/app/office-locator/
Employee Retention Credit
The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) was designed to assist businesses that retained employees during the 2020 and 2021 tax years. However, the IRS placed a moratorium on new applications on September 14, 2023 due to significant fraudulent claims. Applications received before that date will continue to be processed, albeit slowly and in the order in which they were received. The IRS advises that there is no way to expedite ERC processing at this time.
