Tax Controversy News

Since Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) on December 20, 2017,  tax professionals and the general public alike have been grappling to understand the Act’s full implications. One noteworthy change brought about by the Act is a new 20 percent deduction of certain business income for qualifying pass-through entities. The pass-through…

Winning a medal at the Olympic Games comes with a number of benefits: the adulation of millions, appearances on late night talk shows and reality TV shows, lucrative endorsement contracts, and until recently, substantial federal and state tax bills. In addition to gold, silver, and bronze medals (which are worth up to approximately $600), Team…

The recently-unveiled federal tax plan promises to lower the taxes of most Americans, but a significant portion of Marylanders do not fall within that group. Instead, state legislators estimate that 92 percent of Maryland residents will pay more in taxes because of the change, amounting to as much as $1 billion in additional federal taxes…

On February 2, 2018, the Comptroller issued a press release announcing that he has suspended the processing of electronic tax returns for nine additional tax preparers.  A copy of the press release can be found here.)  The Comptroller acknowledged that these preparers were suspended based upon technology designed to spot instances of fraud used by…

One of the expected consequences of The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted by the Federal government at the end of 2017 is that residents of higher-tax states, including Maryland, may see higher state tax bills. Maryland’s governor and legislature are examining ways to shield Maryland taxpayers from tax bill increases. The Maryland tax attorneys…

For those litigating cases involving alleged sexual harassment or sexual abuse, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“the Act”) made an important change that might easily be overlooked.  In pertinent part, Section 13307 of the Act amends Section 162 of the Internal Revenue Code (relating to the deductibility of trade or business expenses)…

The real estate marketplace at Zillow.com reports that the median home price in Baltimore is a shade more than $123,000. Baltimore home values have increased by almost 5% in 2017 and will likely continue to increase in 2018. Baltimore rents are increasing at a similar rate. Perhaps as an expression of their concern over the…

While the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“the Act”) affects many small businesses, alcohol producers are among the few industries that have been specifically targeted for relief.  In addition to rate changes and additional deductions that are available many businesses, the Act benefits craft breweries, wine producers, and distilleries by temporarily reducing the…

As a result of the tax reform of 2017, the application of qualified tuition programs (“529 Plans” has been broadened dramatically.  By coupling the federal tax benefits of 529 Plans with existing Maryland tax provisions, Marylanders may be able to use these plans to reduce the cost of private secondary education by roughly $895 per…

One of the many changes contained within the Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017 (“the Act”) may prove to be a boon for divorce (and tax) attorneys in 2018.  As explained in more detail below, section 11051 of the Act does away with the long-standing provision that allowed for the deductibility of alimony payments. …