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 Octobers 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 Comptrollers 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. Im proud of the agencys reputation as a national leader in efficiently getting refunds back into the hands of taxpayers and, despite the challenges presented by the IRS delays, were prepared to live up to the high standards that Maryland taxpayers rightfully expect. -MORE-

Tax season delay Page two While the 2014 tax filing deadline remains April 15, taxpayers may, as usual, request a sixmonth extension. If an extension is requested from the IRS, one is automatically granted by the Comptrollers Office. Free state tax assistance is available at all of the agencys 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/Lo cal_Offices_and_Directions.shtml. For more information on any tax-related matter, please go to the Comptrollers Website at www.marylandtaxes.com or call 410-260-7980 in Central Maryland or 1-800-MD-TAXES (1800-638-2937) outside of Central Maryland.

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