March 6th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced that his office has processed more than one million tax returns since the start of the tax filing season on January 27. The one-millionth return was submitted by a Prince George’s County tax filer.

To date, 1,131,969 returns have been processed, with more than $1.1 billion in total refund payments issued. Comptroller Franchot urges Marylanders to e-file, as it’s the most secure and efficient way to submit a tax return. Most Marylanders who file electronically receive their state refunds within 2.1 business days.

“As my office continues to detect tax fraud and identity theft schemes, e-filing is the safest way for Marylanders to submit tax returns,” Comptroller Franchot said. “It also helps us to more quickly process returns and get refunds back to hardworking taxpayers.”

Last year, the Comptroller’s Office processed more than 3.2 million returns and disbursed $2.9 billion in refunds.  Last year, the agency detected and blocked more than 15,000 fraudulent tax returns and withheld $15 million in fraudulent refunds. Of the total returns received, 86 percent were filed electronically.

Marylanders can file their state tax returns electronically through the state’s free iFile system, which can be accessed online at www.marylandtaxes.gov. A list of other approved vendors to file electronically can also be found on the website.

The tax filing deadline this year is the traditional filing date of April 15.

Free state tax assistance is available at all of the Comptroller’s 12 taxpayer service offices, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information on any tax-related matter, visit www.marylandtaxes.com, call 1-800-MD-TAXES (1-800-638-2937) or 410-260-7980 in Central Maryland, or email taxhelp@marylandtaxes.gov.