Audience: Individuals

Table of Contents

1. What is Maryland Tax Connect?
2. Do I need to use Maryland Tax Connect to file my tax return?
3. Do I need to register before I file my return?
4. How do first-time filers register for Maryland Tax Connect?
5. How do existing Maryland taxpayers register?
6. Will everyone receive a Registration letter?
7. What forms can I file through Maryland Tax Connect?
8. Can I make payments without registering?
9. Can I set up a payment plan online?
10. What information will I be able to see in my account?
11. Will I be able to see a breakdown of my balance or refund details?
12. Can I check the status of my refund?
13. What other services will be available?
14. Will there be guides or tutorials available?
15. Where can I get help if I have questions?
16. What is the difference between Maryland Tax Connect and Business Maryland Tax Connect? Is there a separate account for CPAs, professional tax preparers, and our clients?
17. Will tax professionals have a separate login in Maryland Tax Connect so that they can manage all their clients in the system?
18. Will there be a transcript tool similar to the IRS’s systems?
19. Will individual tax filers require a registration code to access the system?
20. Will there be an option to identify cases by taxpayer and not case numbers?
21. Will business and individual accounts merge into one account under one login?
22. Will taxpayers be able to request their Maryland tax transcript?
23. Will those holding Power of Attorneys be able to log into Maryland Tax Connect and see the same information as the client?
24. Will clients be required to approve Form 548 through Maryland Tax Connect?
25. Will there be an option to file Form 548 online?
26. In Maryland Tax Connect, is there a method to indicate a paid preparer is on the tax return, removing the need for Form 548 to help resolve processing issues?
27. Has the subtraction for 529 contributions increased to $3,500?
28. If a 3rd and 4th quarter filing is already scheduled, will these payments carry over into Maryland Tax Connect AFTER September 1?
29. Can payments be made without using a “notice number?”
30. Is there a “guest feature” so that payments can be made on behalf of taxpayers, without having or needing access to the tax file in Maryland Tax Connect?
31. Is a Trust under a business account?
32. Will PTE estimates be completed through Maryland Tax Connect effective September 1?
33. How can I share feedback on Maryland Tax Connect?
34. I have reviewed the user guides, but I’m still having trouble registering for a Maryland Tax Connect account. Where can I get help?
35. I can't find the payment form I need in Maryland Tax Connect. What should I do?
36. When I make an estimated payment, the system shows the full year instead of a specific quarter. Is that correct?
37. What happens to estimated payments I already scheduled through iFile?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Maryland Tax Connect?

Maryland Tax Connect for Individual Filers is the Comptroller’s new online tax portal. It replaces iFile, the legacy bill payment system, and other tools. Starting September 1, you’ll be able to use it to file returns, make payments, check your refund status, view account history, and manage payment plans in one secure place.

2. Do I need to use Maryland Tax Connect to file my tax return?

No. Maryland Tax Connect offers a convenient, secure online option for filing and managing your Maryland personal income taxes, but it is not required. Other filing options, including paper filing, remain available.

3. Do I need to register before I file my return?

No. If you are a first-time Maryland tax filer, you can file your return without registering using the guest filing option.

4. How do first-time filers register for Maryland Tax Connect?

Filers new to Maryland personal income tax will have the ability to use the guest filing option to submit their first Maryland tax return without registering.

After the return is filed:

• Filers may register by validating their filing information after their return has been processed

• This option requires providing details from the filed return

Alternatively:

• A notice containing a registration code will be mailed to the filer

• The registration code can then be used to complete registration

5. How do existing Maryland taxpayers register?

• Existing Maryland taxpayers will be able to register directly on the portal by validating their filing information from their most recently filed return.
  
• Their information will be validated against the COM tax processing system.
  
• No registration code is needed.

6. Will everyone receive a Registration letter?

No. Only first-time filers will receive a registration letter. Existing filers who register using the guest filing option will not receive a registration code.

7. What forms can I file through Maryland Tax Connect?

At launch, you will be able to:

• File Form 502
• Pay 502D and 502E

8. Can I make payments without registering?

Yes. You will be able to make certain payments without registering for an account.

9. Can I set up a payment plan online?

Yes. Registered users will be able to set up and manage payment plans through Maryland Tax Connect.

10. What information will I be able to see in my account?

Registered users will be able to view:

• Mailing address (and update it)
• Filing history by tax year
• Return status (Filed or Not Filed)
• Active balances
• Notice history
• Transaction history for payments and returns made through the Maryland Tax Connect portal

11. Will I be able to see a breakdown of my balance or refund details?

No. Maryland Tax Connect will not display:

• Balance breakdowns
• Adjustments
• Refund details

12. Can I check the status of my refund?

Yes. You will be able to use the “Where’s My Refund” feature located on the home page under the individuals box without registering.

13. What other services will be available?

Maryland Tax Connect will also allow users to:

• Complete MVA self-certification
• Make fiduciary PTE estimated and extension payments

14. Will there be guides or tutorials available?

Yes. Manuals, videos, and step-by-step guides will be available to help you:

• Register
• File your return
• Make payments
• Use account feature

15. Where can I get help if I have questions?

You can reach our office by phone at 1-800-MD-TAXES. Remember that between August 18 and August 31, our staff will have limited ability to provide tax status updates while internal systems are transitioning to new systems.

16. What is the difference between Maryland Tax Connect and Business Maryland Tax Connect? Is there a separate account for CPAs, professional tax preparers, and our clients?

Maryland Tax Connect is one system, but we are rolling it out in two large phases – first for businesses and now for individuals. In Maryland Tax Connect, an individual filer uses an “administrator” account, while a tax professional is an authorized user for their clients.

17. Will tax professionals have a separate login in Maryland Tax Connect so that they can manage all their clients in the system?

Tax professionals will register as an authorized user in Maryland Tax Connect and their clients will provide them access to their (the client’s) accounts.

18. Will there be a transcript tool similar to the IRS’s systems?

A transcript tool is not included in this update in Maryland Tax Connect; however, this topic is being investigated for future updates. We appreciate your ideas for future upgrades!

19. Will individual tax filers require a registration code to access the system?

No, individual taxpayers will validate their filing information from their most recently filed return.

20. Will there be an option to identify cases by taxpayer and not case numbers?

We will be continually enhancing and adding to MD Tax Connect and this enhancement will be one of the first features we add after we go live. We will add this feature by the end of the year.

21. Will business and individual accounts merge into one account under one login?

Yes, both can be added to one user profile.

22. Will taxpayers be able to request their Maryland tax transcript?

This feature is being considered for future upgrades but will not be available immediately.

23. Will those holding Power of Attorneys be able to log into Maryland Tax Connect and see the same information as the client?

The client will need to grant access to those holding Power of Attorney to gain access.

24. Will clients be required to approve Form 548 through Maryland Tax Connect?

No; however, your clients will be able to grant authorized access to third-party users.

25. Will there be an option to file Form 548 online?

Form 548 is currently not available for online filing; however, we are considering this update in future iterations of Maryland Tax Connect.

We currently encourage taxpayers and practitioners to submit completed POAs via upload in the CRM - MyCOMConnect. We’ve also maintained the ability for submissions via email, fax, or mail if that is their preference. A CRM submission allows us to route the item directly to the POA group so that they can review and approve or ask for whatever is needed to cure a deficient submission and then note on the account accordingly that we have the POA on file, who is approved, for what matters, and for what period(s).

26. In Maryland Tax Connect, is there a method to indicate a paid preparer is on the tax return, removing the need for Form 548 to help resolve processing issues?

A checkbox has been added to identify that a CPA has prepared the return.

27. Has the subtraction for 529 contributions increased to $3,500?

No, the subtraction for 529 contributions has not increased to $3,500; for each prepaid contract, the subtraction may not exceed $2,500 for any taxable year.

28. If a 3rd and 4th quarter filing is already scheduled, will these payments carry over into Maryland Tax Connect AFTER September 1?

Scheduled payments will be converted into the new system after September 1; however, some payments may be delayed.

29. Can payments be made without using a “notice number?”

Yes, payments can be made without a notice number by using the account payment type.

30. Is there a “guest feature” so that payments can be made on behalf of taxpayers, without having or needing access to the tax file in Maryland Tax Connect?

Yes, guest options are available to make estimated payments

31. Is a Trust under a business account?

Fiduciary/Trust accounts are part of our upcoming release, and you will see “Fiduciary” listed as a tax type option after the September 1 release.

32. Will PTE estimates be completed through Maryland Tax Connect effective September 1?

Yes, PTE estimates will be part of the September 1 release.

33. How can I share feedback on Maryland Tax Connect?

You can submit comments and suggestions through our website feedback form available on the Maryland Tax Connect portal.

34. I have reviewed the user guides, but I’m still having trouble registering for a Maryland Tax Connect account. Where can I get help?

If you're running into issues registering, call 1-800-MD-TAXES and select Option 1 to reach a Maryland Tax Connect onboarding expert. You can also schedule a one-on-one online appointment by selecting "Get Help Now" at MarylandComptroller.gov.

35. I can't find the payment form I need in Maryland Tax Connect. What should I do?

Some legacy payment forms aren't yet available in Maryland Tax Connect, but you can still make your payment today: if you're not registered, select "Guest," then choose "Estimated Payment" from the dropdown menu; if you're already registered, select "Make a Payment" from the "File and Pay" dropdown.

36. When I make an estimated payment, the system shows the full year instead of a specific quarter. Is that correct?

Yes. Maryland Tax Connect displays the estimated payment period as the full tax year rather than an individual quarter. You don't need to select a separate period for the quarter you're paying. Enter the amount for that quarter, and the system will automatically apply it to the correct period based on your payment date.

37. What happens to estimated payments I already scheduled through iFile?

If you scheduled an estimated payment through iFile before it moved to view-only access, that payment is still on file and will process and post automatically as originally scheduled. Because iFile is now view-only, it's no longer possible to cancel or edit that payment through the system. Please do not submit an additional estimated payment for the same period through Maryland Tax Connect, doing so may result in a duplicate payment.

If your scheduled iFile payment doesn't post as expected, or you need to make a change, call 1-800-MDTAXES (Option 1) or visit MarylandComptroller.gov and select "Get Help Now."