Frequently Asked Questions

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Maryland Tax Connect Questions

The Office of the Comptroller is upgrading! We are migrating from our outdated mainframe tax processing technology to new, secure online systems that will make the process of interacting with the Comptroller more user-friendly while also saving taxpayers time and money. This modernization effort includes both internal and external upgrades. We are implementing Revenue Premier Enterprise as the backbone of our agency’s new internal tax processing system and launching the Maryland Tax Connect online public portal.

Maryland Tax Connect is a self-service portal that allows taxpayers to file their taxes online more easily and more securely. Starting February 6, 2024, business taxpayers will be able to use Maryland Tax Connect to easily file and pay their state taxes and interact with this agency in various ways. We encourage business owners to explore some of the most frequently asked questions to make navigating the Maryland Tax Connect platform and the online filing process easier.

1. What is Maryland Tax Connect and when does it launch?
2. How do I register for an account?
3. Who can register for a Maryland Tax Connect account?
4. How do I register a new business using Maryland Tax Connect?
5. What is the process to file or pay my business taxes using a guest log-in?
6. What features can I access as a guest?
7. How can I file or pay my business taxes beginning February 6, 2024, while I await my Maryland Tax Connect welcome letter?
8. How is tax filing impacted during the transition to Maryland Tax Connect?
9. Will my end-of-year withholding filing be affected by the transition to Maryland Tax Connect?
10. What taxes can business filers pay through the portal?
11. What tax returns can business filers submit through the portal?
12. What services will be available on Maryland Tax Connect once business filers are registered?
13. How far back can I file business tax returns/payments online?
14. How far back can I view business tax filings/payments online?
15. How do I check the status of my submitted return, and can I change my return once submitted?
16. Can I save my progress and come back to finish my return later?
17. Will my data be secure?
18. Can I import data from my tax software or previous returns?
19. Who can access my tax information once I input/submit it through the portal?
20. What should I do if I believe my personal information/login information has been compromised?
21. What are the next tax types to be added to Maryland Tax Connect?
22. What payment methods are accepted for online tax payments?
23. What languages are supported on the portal?
24. Where should I go if I need more information?

Maryland Tax Connect Answers

1. What is Maryland Tax Connect and when does it launch?

   Maryland Tax Connect is a free self-service portal that allows Maryland businesses to file their taxes online easily and securely. Through the portal, businesses can complete several tax functions themselves and directly interact with the Comptroller’s Office.

   The Maryland Tax Connect portal will launch for most Maryland business taxes on February 6, 2024. Other tax types, including individual income tax, will be added to Maryland Tax Connect over the next two years. Alcohol taxes will be added no later than Q3 of 2024.

2. How do I register for an account?

   During the month of February, the Office of the Comptroller is mailing welcome letters to existing b-File users and business taxpayers.

   These welcome letters will contain additional information about Maryland Tax Connect and a personal identification number (PIN), which will expire 45 days after its creation.

   After business administrators receive their letter, they can register for an account by visiting www.mdtaxconnect.gov and following the directions in the letter. They will need to have their PIN and Federal Employer Identification Number handy to complete the registration process.

3. Who can register for a Maryland Tax Connect account?

   Business administrators (either the business owner or someone overseeing business operations) can register for a Maryland Tax Connect account for their business entity. Business administrators can also authorize third parties – including CPAs, accountants, tax consultants, attorneys, tax preparers, or payroll companies – to access information on Maryland Tax Connect.

   To become an authorized user, a third party must first register with Maryland Tax Connect and provide their User ID and registration confirmation number to the business administrator. The business administrator must then grant the authorized user access to the account. The business account will appear in the authorized user’s list of accounts.

4. How do I register a new business using Maryland Tax Connect?

   New businesses can register online to use the Maryland Tax Connect portal. To register your business, please visit www.mdtaxconnect.gov and select “Register a Business” from the quick links options on the Maryland Tax Connect home page. After completing the Combined Registration Application, businesses will receive a welcome letter and PIN to register for a Maryland Tax Connect account.

5. What is the process to file or pay my business taxes using a guest log-in?

   Business filers can either wait to receive their welcome letter and PIN, or they can opt to use Maryland Tax Connect as a guest before receiving their PIN. Importantly, business taxpayers will not face interest or penalties for late payments or filings resulting from this transition to Maryland Tax Connect. To file tax returns and pay liabilities as a guest, a business administrator will need their:

   • FEIN
   • Filing period
   • Financial institution information (if making a payment with the return)

   
   

   If only making payments as a guest, a business administrator will need their:

   • FEIN or Company Registered Number (CRN)
   • Account Period
   • Billing Invoice Number or Legacy Notice Number
   • Financial Institution Information


6. What features can I access as a guest?

   The following features can be accessed as a guest and don’t require a registered Maryland Tax Connect account:

   • Public search inquiries for Motor Fuel Licenses and Special Fuel Exemption status
   • Public search inquiries for Sales Tax registration and exemption status
   • Guest options to file and pay Sales and Use, Withholding, and Admissions and Amusement tax forms
   • Guest options to pay an existing liability
   • Apply for a new business
   • Apply for a first-time Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificate


7. How can I file or pay my business taxes beginning February 6, 2024, while I await my Maryland Tax Connect welcome letter?

   Business filers can either wait to receive their welcome letter and PIN, or they can opt to use Maryland Tax Connect as a guest before receiving their PIN. Importantly, business taxpayers will not face interest or penalties for late payments or filings resulting from this transition to Maryland Tax Connect.

   For business taxpayers filing monthly or more frequently: Interest and penalty will automatically be waived for late payments and late filings that are received on or prior to 5/31/2024 and are applicable to tax periods ending in December 2023, January 2024, February 2024, March 2024, and April 2024. For taxpayers who are required to file Employer Withholding Tax on an accelerated basis, this waiver will also include those Employer Withholding Tax Returns submitted during the month of May 2024.

   For business taxpayers filing quarterly, semi-annual, or annually: Interest and penalty will automatically be waived for late payments and late filings that are received on or prior to 5/31/2024 and are applicable to tax periods ending in December 2023 and March 2024.

8. How is tax filing impacted during the transition to Maryland Tax Connect?

   The Maryland Tax Connect portal launches for major Maryland business taxes on February 6, 2024. The b-File system will be in “view only” mode starting January 23, 2024. As we transition to Maryland Tax Connect, between January 23, 2024, and February 5, 2024, taxpayers will not be able to file taxes. Business taxpayers will not face interest or penalties for late payments or filings resulting from this transition to Maryland Tax Connect.

   For business taxpayers filing monthly or more frequently: Interest and penalty will automatically be waived for late payments and late filings that are received on or prior to 5/31/2024 and are applicable to tax periods ending in December 2023, January 2024, February 2024, March 2024, and April 2024. For taxpayers who are required to file Employer Withholding Tax on an accelerated basis, this waiver will also include those Employer Withholding Tax Returns submitted during the month of May 2024.

   For business taxpayers filing quarterly, semi-annual, or annually: Interest and penalty will automatically be waived for late payments and late filings that are received on or prior to 5/31/2024 and are applicable to tax periods ending in December 2023 and March 2024.

9. Will my end-of-year withholding filing be affected by the transition to Maryland Tax Connect?

   End-of-year withholding will not be affected by the transition, and b-File will remain the only option for the electronic filing of W-2s and Withholding Reconciliations this year. Withholding Reconciliations and W-2 filing will transition to Maryland Tax Connect in January 2025.

10. What taxes can business filers pay through the portal?

    When the Maryland Tax Connect portal launches for most Maryland business taxes on February 6, 2024, business filers will be able to pay the following Maryland business taxes through Maryland Tax Connect:

    • Alcohol
    • Corporate
    • Withholding
    • Tobacco
    • Motor Fuel
    • Sales and Use
    • Tire Fee
    • Bay Restoration Fee
    • Admissions and Amusement
    • Transportation Network Service


11. What tax returns can business filers submit through the portal?

    When the Maryland Tax Connect portal launches for major Maryland business taxes on February 6, 2024, business filers will be able to file the following Maryland business taxes through Maryland Tax Connect:

    • Withholding
    • Sales and Use
    • Tire Fee
    • Bay Restoration Fee
    • Admissions and Amusement

    Other tax types are expected to be added through 2026.

12. What services will be available on Maryland Tax Connect once business filers are registered?

    Once business filers are registered, they can perform the following functions through Maryland Tax Connect:

    • Add an authorized user (third-party) to your Maryland Tax Connect account.
    • Update/change personal information.
    • Make a credit card payment.
    • View the last 12 months of outbound correspondence from the Office of the Comptroller.
    • Make ACH direct debit payments on return balances, period balances and/or existing liabilities.
    • Submit general information requests or upload documentation.
    • View account information, balances, and filing history for Corporate, Alcohol, Sales and Use, Withholding, Tobacco, Motor Fuel, Admissions and Amusement, Tobacco, Slots, Bay Restoration, Tire Fee and Transportation tax accounts.
    • File tax forms for Sales and Use, Withholding, Admissions and Amusement, Bay Restoration and Tire Fee taxes.
    • Renew Sales and Use Tax Exemption Certificates.
    • Renew Motor Fuel Licenses.
    • Renew Slot Machine Licenses.

    Filers can only view transactions made through the Maryland Tax Connect portal. Transactions performed on the legacy b-File system will not be available starting February 6, 2024.

13. How far back can I file business tax returns/payments online?

    You can file and pay online for periods up to 36 months before the current date using Maryland Tax Connect.

14. How far back can I view business tax filings/payments online?

    Tax filings and transactions submitted through Maryland Tax Connect will be available for up to 36 months.

15. How do I check the status of my submitted return, and can I change my return once submitted?

    Once you submit a return via Maryland Tax Connect, you will receive confirmation through the Maryland Tax Connect secure message center. You can also view the status of your return in your filing history. Maryland Tax Connect users will have the ability to file an amended return to correct any mistakes after the original returns are submitted.

16. Can I save my progress and come back to finish my return later?

    Users have the option to view and complete saved documents. You can save your progress and exit the portal at any time. Unsubmitted returns are saved for up to 90 days.

17. Will my data be secure?

    All taxpayer data transmitted and stored in the Maryland Tax Connect database is secure and encrypted using the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140 Encryption Requirements in accordance with IRS guidelines to prevent unauthorized use, inspection or disclosure.

18. Can I import data from my tax software or previous returns?

    No, users cannot import data from tax software or previous returns.

19. Who can access my tax information once I input/submit it through the portal?

    Updates and information can be accessed by business users and authorized users granted access on Maryland Tax Connect. When tax returns and payments are submitted, the Office of the Comptroller staff will access information for processing purposes only.

20. What should I do if I believe my personal information/login information has been compromised?

    If you believe your Maryland Tax Connect account has been compromised, please report this to mdtaxconnecthelp@marylandtaxes.gov.

21. What are the next tax types to be added to Maryland Tax Connect?

    (2025-2026)
    After the Maryland Tax Connect portal launches for major Maryland business taxes on February 6, 2024, several other tax types will be added to the portal over the following two years, including:

    • Individual income tax
    • Pass-Through Entity
    • Fiduciary Tax
    • Estate Tax
    • Unclaimed Property
    • International Fuel Tax Agreement

    
    
22. What payment methods are accepted for online tax payments?

    Payments can be made via ACH Direct Debit and credit card. Please note credit card payments are submitted through a third-party payment vendor and are subject to a service charge.

23. What languages are supported on the portal?

    Maryland Tax Connect offers a translation feature for 132 international languages.

24. Where should I go if I need more information?

    For more information, please visit marylandtaxes.gov/MDTaxConnect. For periodic updates on progress related to the Maryland Tax Connect Portal, sign up for our newsletter at www.marylandtaxes.gov You can also email questions to mdtaxconnecthelp@marylandtaxes.gov.