Hogan to introduce legislation to protect Marylanders from tax fraud

Planned legislation is underway in the state house to further protect Marylanders against tax fraud and identity theft.

Tax fraud has already been tapped by the IRS as one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation, but Maryland currently lacks the teeth to go after criminals.   

As it stands right now when someone is caught with tax fraud they are flagged and are not issued a return. 

If the Taxpayer Protection Act of 2017 were to pass criminals would face jail time for their crimes. 

A similar bill was introduced last year, however it failed on the last day of the session. 

This year the bill will be introduced as part of the governors gubernatorial package and lawmakers like Del. Carl Anderton (D-38) (R), are hopeful it will go through.

"It came very close to being passed by we ran out of time as the clock hit midnight, so we're hopeful that now that the process has started sooner that we can go ahead and get this through and again like I said I'll be surprised if I find anyone who doesn't support it," Anderton said.

The act would also extend the statute of limitations for tax crimes from three to six years allowing more time to properly investigate cases of fraud.