Maryland Tax Power of Attorney

When a taxpayer chooses to have a representative act on their behalf, they need to file for Maryland tax power of attorney with the Maryland Comptroller’s office. This grants the comptroller the right to discuss your confidential tax information with the attorney specified on the form.

If you owe back taxes to the state of Maryland, then granting tax power of attorney will also give you relief from aggressive tax collection tactics. Collection agencies will now have to go through your attorney, rather than harassing you to pay up.

Our firm frequently helps Marylanders resolve their state tax problems via power of attorney. If you have federal tax issues as well, we can also represent you in dealings with the IRS through IRS Power of Attorney.

The Benefits of Maryland Tax Power of Attorney

Maryland power of attorney is routinely granted to allow your tax lawyer to take care of a variety of transactions, such as requesting and inspecting tax return information, filing taxes, handling a tax audit, obtaining tax transcripts, and speaking to the Comptroller’s Office on your behalf.

You are still responsible for making the decisions—with your attorney’s guidance—and you can revoke tax power of attorney at any time. S.H. Block would never act without your consent, and once your tax problem has been resolved we will remove ourselves from your tax POA.

Hiring a tax attorney is also a signal that you are taking steps to fix any tax problems like tax debt or disputes. Past due tax liabilities can result in wage garnishment, liens or levies, seizure of your assets, revoked driver’s license or business licenses, and more. Per Maryland law, the Comptroller can charge an interest rate of 13% on past due taxes, plus a 25% penalty fee, meaning debt can accumulate very quickly.

Resolving these tax matters can be stressful and can feel monumental, but a tax resolution specialist with S.H. Block Tax Services can help. We are very experienced in representing Maryland taxpayers who are in dispute with the Maryland Comptroller.

With power of attorney, we can assist you with tax resolution measures such as:

• Obtaining past information on filings, audits, and other Maryland tax forms.
• Individual payment agreements.
• Offer in compromise agreements.
• Penalty abatement.
• Innocent Spouse Relief.

If you have past due tax debt with the state of Maryland, it’s important to address it quickly before things get worse.

RELATED: What can Maryland Do If I Owe Taxes?

How to Grant Power of Attorney in Maryland

To grant a tax lawyer power of attorney, you must send in completed Maryland form 548 to the comptroller’s office. This form specifies all your identifying information and your representative’s name and information. It also includes the type of Maryland tax (income tax or employment tax) and the tax year or time period covered.

The power of attorney form is valid until it is revoked, or it is superseded by filing a form naming a new representative.

Tax Power of Attorney for Someone Other Than Yourself

You yourself may have “power of attorney” for a parent or other person who is mentally incapacitated. Often this refers to your ability to make financial or medical decisions for someone else, or be involved in this person’s health care. However, it can also give you the right to sign tax power of attorney forms to allow a tax firm to file tax returns on behalf of someone else. This allows you to designate a tax representative as the agent, or the attorney-in-fact.

Talk to S.H. Block Tax Services about Maryland Tax Power of Attorney

If you have tax matters that need help from a professional, you’re in the right place. S.H. Block Tax Services has decades of experience with resolving tax problems in the state of Maryland, and we are dedicated to finding you a solution that is in your best interests.

To schedule a free consultation, call our office at (410) 872-8376 or complete this online form. We’ll set up a meeting to discuss your specific problems and let you know how we can help.

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.