From the Desk of Former Mayor Malinda Miles

It has been two years since I decided to remove myself from the political scene in Mount Rainier, MD, Prince George's County, and the State of Maryland. Holding the lofty position of Mayor was such a great honor, but as the years flew by, I realized that it was time to do something else -- get a life.! I did, and still continue to provide resources to the residents through The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM). Real people pass through The Front Porch Ministries weekly. LIFE is good.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Comptroller Advises Taxpayers of Delay

From: Peter Franchot

NEWS release

Comptroller Advises Taxpayers of Delay to Start of 2014 Tax Season Due to IRS Issues

-Processing to Begin Between January 28 and February 4–

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (December 10, 2013) – Comptroller Peter Franchot advised Marylanders today that announced delays by the IRS will cause a corresponding delay to the beginning of the 2014 state tax season. Due to the 16-day federal government shutdown, the IRS has announced it will delay the start of tax return processing until sometime between January 28 and February 4. Maryland, as with most states, relies on IRS systems in the processing and verifying of state returns. Last year, the tax season started on January 21.

“While I share the understandable frustration most Marylanders will feel about these delays, my Office is working aggressively to process returns and distribute refunds as quickly as external circumstances will allow,” said Comptroller Franchot. “We pride ourselves on top-flight customer service and we are fully committed to doing everything humanly possible to get money back into the hands of consumers as soon as possible.”

IRS officials state that October’s federal government shutdown came at the peak of critical yearly system programming and testing resulting in the delay of these essential quality control processes. The Comptroller’s Office relies on those systems in the processing of state returns. While the IRS has yet to announce the exact date operations will begin, no tax returns will be processed prior to January 28.

“The swift processing of returns and distribution of refunds is my absolute top priority as Comptroller,” Franchot noted. “I’m proud of the agency’s reputation as a national leader in efficiently getting refunds back into the hands of taxpayers and, despite the challenges presented by the IRS delays, we’re prepared to live up to the high standards that Maryland taxpayers rightfully expect.”

While the 2014 tax filing deadline remains April 15, taxpayers may, as usual, request a six-month extension. If an extension is requested from the IRS, one is automatically granted by the Comptroller’s Office.

Free state tax assistance is available at all of the agency’s 12 taxpayer service offices, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A list of office locations can be found at: http://taxes.marylandtaxes.com/Resource_Library/Taxpayer_Assistance/Contact_Information/Local_Offices_and_Directions.shtml.

For more information on any tax-related matter, please go to the Comptroller’s Website at www.marylandtaxes.com or call 410-260-7980 in Central Maryland or 1-800-MD-TAXES (1-800-638-2937) outside of Central Maryland.

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CONTACT: Andrew Friedson, 410-260-7060 (office); 443-414-3083 (cell)

Mayor Malinda Miles

As a long-time resident of Mount Rainier and a homeowner, it is important to me that municipal government be inclusive of all of its residents. It is equally important that information be communicated through all possible channel so that residents can get involved. It is also important for residents to volunteer and serve on committees, commissions, boards and task forces. I truly believe that municipal government is the government closes to the people, and as such should be easily accessible. This BLOG is another effort to reach out to the residents of Mount Rainier.