The Md Personal Property form, officially known as Form 1, is an Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return required by all business entities in Maryland. It necessitates filing by corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and various other business types registered in the state as of January 1st each year. The filing ensures businesses disclose any owned personal property and is critical for maintaining the right to conduct business within Maryland. For guidance on completing and submitting this form efficiently, click the button below.
Mandatory for all businesses registered in Maryland, the MD Personal Property Form, known as Form 1, serves as both an Annual Report and Business Personal Property Return that helps the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation track business activity and personal property within the state. This comprehensive form requires submission by various types of entities including corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and trusts, regardless of their operational, income, or property status in Maryland. It must be filed by April 15th, with provisions for extensions available through an online system to accommodate entities that might need more time. Businesses can file online or through traditional mail, but must ensure accuracy and completeness to avoid penalties. The form not only captures standard business information but also detailed inventory and property specifics, underscoring Maryland's rigorous approach to assessing business personal property for taxation purposes. Fees vary by entity type with some exemptions provided, although late submissions attract penalties, emphasizing the importance of timely compliance. The form additionally serves as a vehicle for businesses to update their mailing address, ensuring all communication and assessments from the Department are accurately directed. With its broad applicability and stringent requirements, the MD Personal Property Form is a critical document for businesses operating in Maryland, facilitating state oversight and compliance in the realm of business personal property taxation.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORM 1
THE ANNUAL REPORT &
BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY RETURN
An Annual Report must be filed by all business entities formed, qualified or registered to do business in the State of Maryland, as of January 1st.
Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, Business Services Division
Business Personal Property Division, 301 West Preston Street Room 801, Baltimore Maryland 21201- 1052
WHO MUST FILE THE ANNUAL REPORT
The Annual Report is a required filing for all business entities, regardless of whether the business owns property, generates income or has conducted business activity in Maryland during the preceding year. This includes the following entity types, both Domestic and Foreign:
OStock, Tax Exempt Non-Stock, Non-Stock, Religious, Close, Benefit and Professional Corporations,
OLimited Liability Companies & BenefitLLCs,
OLimited Liability Partnerships, Limited Partnerships & Limited Liability LimitedPartnerships,
OStatutory (Business Trusts), Real Estate Investment Trusts
Failure to file the Annual Report may result in forfeiture of the entity’s right to conduct business in the State of Maryland.
WHEN TO FILE
The deadline to file is April 15th. Should April 15th fall on a weekend, the due date is the Monday immediately following. Annual Reports that are postmarked by close of business (COB) on the Monday following will be considered timely.
You may request a 60 day extension of the filing deadline, at no cost, by visiting the Personal Property Extension site at http://pprextensions.dat.maryland.gov/ Extension requests must be made on or before April 15th. Increased use of this site is anticipated as April 15th approaches, so SDAT suggests you apply for an extension as soon as the site opens in December. Paper extensions are no longer accepted by the department.
HOW & WHERE TO FILE
You may file online through the Maryland Business Express system,
https://egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress
Filings may be submitted in person by visiting SDAT Headquarters in Baltimore. The address is:
State of Maryland - State Center
301 W. Preston Street, Room 801
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Form 1 Instructions
Filings may also be submitted by mail. Be sure to sign the Annual Report and include a check or money order for the full amount of any required filing fee. Send the completed package to:
Maryland Dept. of Assessments and Taxation
Annual Report
PO Box 17052
Baltimore, Maryland 21297-1052
All other correspondence, such as Amended Annual Reports, or certified/return receipts, should be sent to:
Business Services Unit
301 W. Preston Street, Room 808
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2395
REMINDER: To ensure proper filing, include your SDAT Department ID on your report, where requested, and on all communications with SDAT. Annual Reports filed without a Department ID may not be accepted, causing delays and possible late fees.
INFORMATION and ASSISTANCE
General information:
Customer Service Contact Center
410 767 1330
Email: sdat.cscc@maryland.gov
PERSONAL PROPERTY UNIT 410-767-1170
Valuation and assessment information
Online Extensions: http://pprextensions.dat.maryland.gov/
E-mail Address: SDAT.PersProp@Maryland.gov
CHARTER UNIT
Charter Information: 410-767-1330
Incorporations, Qualifications, Revivals
& Dissolutions: 410-767-1330
E-mail Address: SDAT.CharterHelp@Maryland.gov
Department Website: https://dat.maryland.gov
Toll Free within Maryland: 1-888-246-5941
Maryland Relay Service (MRS): 1-800-735-2258 TT/VOICE (MRS for speech and hearing impairment)
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FILING FEES
The filing fee for most business entities is $300. The fee must accompany the Annual Report in order for the report to be accepted by SDAT. Failure to include the filing fee may result in SDAT not accepting the report which may
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TYPE OF BUSINESS
ID# PREFIX
FILING FEE
Domestic Stock Corporation
D
$300
Foreign Stock Corporation
F
Domestic Non-Stock Corporation
$0
Foreign Non-Stock Corporation
Foreign Insurance Corporation
Foreign Interstate Corporation
Domestic Limited Liability Company
W
Foreign Limited Liability Company
Z
Domestic Limited Partnership
M
Foreign Limited Partnership
P
Domestic Limited Liability Partnership
A
Foreign Limited Liability Partnership
E
Domestic Statutory Trust
B
Foreign Statutory Trust
S
Real Estate Investment Trust
SDAT Certified Family Farm
A,D,M.W
$100
Amended Returns
ALL
The filing fee must be paid regardless of whether the business owns property in Maryland, generates any income in Maryland or conducts any business in Maryland. Checks and money orders should be made payable to “SDAT” and include the SDAT Department ID to ensure credit to the proper account.
Corporations not authorized to issue capital stock are not required to pay a filing fee.
The filing fee for SDAT Certified Family Farms is $100 beginning the year following its election to become a Family Farm.
LATE FILING PENALTIES
If the business files its Annual Report after the deadline, it may be subject to late filing penalties. The penalties cannot be prepaid and can only be calculated after the Personal Property Tax Return is filed. If the business is assessed any late filing penalties, it will be notified by mail after the assessment is complete. The following minimum and maximum initial (base) penalty amounts apply:
Days Late
Minimum
Maximum
01-15
$30
$500
16-30
$40
31 or more
$50
A business which files the Form 1 after the April 15th due date (June 15 for those with approved extensions), will receive an initial penalty of 1/10 of one percent of the county assessment, or the base penalty, whichever is greater. Interest will accrue at the rate of 2% of the initial penalty amount for each thirty (30) day period, or part thereof, that the Form 1 is late.
WHAT ADDRESS TO USE
For the purpose of the Annual Report and Personal Property Tax Return, provide the business’ mailing address in Section I of the Form 1.
The business’ mailing address may also be changed when submitting the Annual Report. Insert the new mailing address in the address fields in Section I, and check the box to indicate that this is “a change of mailing address.” A business’ mailing address may be any US Post Office recognized address, including non-Maryland addresses, addresses in foreign countries and post office boxes.
PERIOD COVERED BY ANNUAL REPORT AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RETURN
All reports cover the calendar year regardless of the business’ fiscal year. All information required to be reported shall be as of January 1 of the filing year, also known as the date of finality, except for items which specifically ask for information from prior years.
COMPLETING THE ANNUAL REPORT
To start your Annual Report (Form 1), check the appropriate box for the business type at the top of the form and note the associated filing fee for your business type.
SECTION I
All business entities must complete this section. If any item does not apply, leave that item blank or insert “N/A.”
Provide the full, legal name of the business entity, including any tails or endings such as Inc. or LLC. (Required)
Provide the complete mailing address for the business. If this is a new mailing address, check the box to the left.
You cannot change the Principal Office or Resident Agent address using this method. Please consult website for instructions.
Provide the SDAT Department ID. If you do not know your Department ID, you can look it up on Maryland Business Express: (https://egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress/EntitySearch.) The ID number is necessary to ensure proper credit to your account.
Provide the entity’s FEIN (federal tax identification number obtained from the IRS).
Provide the business entity’s Federal Principal Business Code (obtained from the IRS).
Provide the nature of business.
Provide the trading-as-name (DBA) that the business uses, if any.
Provide an email address in order to receive important reminders from SDAT.
SECTION II
Only complete this section if the business entity is a corporation (domestic or foreign). If the business entity is not a corporation, skip this section and proceed to Section III.
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Provide the names and mailing addresses of all corporate officers. All domestic corporations must have a President, Secretary and Treasurer. Attach additional pages if necessary.
Provide the names of all corporate directors. All Maryland corporations (except Close corporations) must have at least one director. Religious corporations should list the names of all Trustees here. Attach additional pages if necessary.
Due to the passage of Chapter 513 during the 2019 General Assembly Session a new request for data has been included on the 2020 Form 1. The Total number of Directors, Total number of Female Directors only applies to tax exempt, domestic non-stock corporations with an operating budget exceeding $5,000,000; or domestic stock corporations with total sales exceeding $5,000,000. If one of the former applies to the corporation, this questions must be completed unless at least 75% of the corporation’s shareholders are family members. This question is required by law, Tax-Property Article §11-101.
SECTION III
All business entities must complete this section. If the answer to all questions is “No”, only the Annual Report must be filed with SDAT. Please proceed to Section IV,
SIGN, and return this Annual Report, with fee if applicable, to the Department:
Department of Assessments and Taxation, Charter Unit P.O. Box 17052, Baltimore, MD 21297-1052
Check “Yes” if the business entity owns, leases or uses any property other than real estate, intellectual property or vehicles registered with the MVA, and that property is located in the State of Maryland. The term “Personal Property” specifically includes property owned by the business, leased by the business or used by business, even if that property is owned by another business or individual. “Personal property” includes computers, phones, cell phones, furniture, draperies, inventory, equipment, tools, machines, books, artwork, supplies and fixtures. Only check “No” if the company does not use, lease or own any property that is located in the State ofMaryland.
If you answered yes, but the personal property your entity owns is exempt (religious groups, charitable or educational organizations), you will not have to complete the Business Personal Property Tax Return Portion. You may wish to complete the Form SD1. Note: The Business Personal
Property Tax Return will have to be completed if the entity leases personal property from others.
Check “Yes” if the business has or is required to have a Trader’s License (sometimes called a business license) issued by the Circuit Court for the county or counties in which the business has locations.
"If you are unsure of whether this applies to you, please contact your county's Clerk of the Court at https://www.courts.state.md.us/pia/clerks.
Maryland Annotated Code, Business Regulation Article §17-1808 allows counties and municipalities to adopt a Uniform Trader's License Fee."
If the business had gross sales in Maryland please provide the amount of business transacted in MD.
If you answered yes to any of the questions and the
Form SD1 does not apply, the Business Personal Property Tax Return will have to be completed.
See NOTES at the end of these instructions for important information regarding the Form SD1.
SECTION IV
This is the signature part of the form and all business entities must complete this section.
If you are mailing the form, original signatures are required. Photocopies, confirmed signatures, faxes, scans or any type of signature other than an original, ink signature are not acceptable. This form is signed under oath and subject to the penalties of perjury.
Please review it carefully for accuracy before you sign and submit it!
This item must be completed by all business entities. If this item is left blank, the Annual Report will be considered
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incomplete and will not be accepted. Print the name of the person signing on behalf of the business. The date should be the date the form is signed. Include a phone number and email address so that we can contact you to resolve any potential discrepancies or errors quickly.
Only complete the next signature line if you are preparing the return for or on behalf of the business entity, and are not a constituent of the business. This item generally applies to accountants, tax preparers and attorneys.
ABOUT THE BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RETURN
WHAT MUST BE REPORTED
Generally, all tangible personal property owned, leased, consigned or used by the business, and located within the State of Maryland on January 1 must be reported. Property not in use must still be reported. All fully depreciated and expensed personal property must also be reported.
Personal property includes, but is not limited to, office and plant furniture, machinery, equipment, tools, furnishings, trade fixtures, inventory, and all other property not considered part of the real estate. Personal property in this State (other than operating property of Railroads and public Utilities) falls into two subclasses:
I. Stock in business or inventory is goods held by a taxpayer for sale, and goods placed on consignment to another for sale, in the expectation of a quick turnover. Stock in business does not include goods manufactured by the taxpayer but held by the taxpayer for purposes other than sale, or goods manufactured by the taxpayer but placed in possession and control of another as in the case of leasedproperty.
Stock in business is assessed at cost or market value, whichever is lower. LIFO method of valuation is prohibited.
II.All other personal property includes all personal property, other than inventory, andis reported at full cash value.
Taxpayers shall report such property which has been acquired by purchase at cost in the year of acquisition. Taxpayers shall report such property which has been acquired other than by purchase (including property manufactured by the taxpayer) at fair market value. To assess “all other personal property” the Department generally applies a 10% rate of depreciation per annum to the reported property. Exceptions to the 10% rate can be found on the Depreciation Rate Chart on page six
(6).
Normally, property will not be depreciated below 25% of the original cost.
Estimated assessments may be issued when questions remain unanswered or the answers are incomplete or evasive. Real property is not to be reported on the return.
REPORTING COST OF PERSONAL PROPERTY Round amounts to the nearest whole dollar. Fifty cents and above should be rounded to the next highest dollar.
COMPLETING THE BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RETURN
At the top of the Business Personal Property Tax Return, copy the complete legal name of the business and the Department ID from the first page in the spaces provided. This is required to correctly credit your account.
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SECTION V
All business entities complete. It is necessary to provide the business name and Department ID # so that proper credit may be made to your account.
Questions A through F
Must be completed by any business entity that responded “Yes” to either question in Section III.
Provide the correct mailing address. Be sure it is the same address you provided on the Form 1, Annual Report. Provide a current email address so that you can receive important assessment updates from the Department.
Indicate whether or not business is conducted in Maryland. Provide the date business began in Maryland.
Provide a short description of the activity of the business (i.e., “restaurant” or “construction,” etc.)
If the business operates on a fiscal year provide the start and end date. If it operates on a calendar year, you may leave this item blank.
Provide the total gross sales generated from business transacted in the State of Maryland for the calendar year preceding the date of finality.
If the business does not own, lease, or use any tangible personal property in Maryland, but has generated any amount of gross sales, please provide an explanation of how the business operates in Maryland without any tangible personal property. If the business is using the personal property of another business entity, provide the name, Department ID, and address of that business. Use the REMARKS section to provide any additional applicable information.
SECTION VI
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR ITEMS 1-10
Must be completed by any business entity that responded “Yes” to questions in Section III.
Location Information
Exact Location
Since local tax rates and exemptions differ in each county and in each incorporated town, the physical location of the tangible business personal property within Maryland as of January 1st must be clearly indicated by the business.
Post Office Box numbers are not acceptable. If property is located in an incorporated town, supply the name of the town. An incorporated town has its own government and defined municipal boundaries. Please see the attached current list of counties and incorporated towns within each county. Inventory is deemed permanently located where the business is conducted. Although some jurisdictions may exempt inventory from an assessment, entities that require a Trader's License must report commercial inventory in Question 2.
Multiple Physical Locations
If property is located in two or more locations, please supply a breakdown per location by completing copies of the Additional Locations Worksheet. The additional locations worksheet can be found on our website https://dat.maryland.gov/Pages/sdatforms.aspx
For ease in reporting, entities may upload additional schedules up to 50MB when filing through Maryland Business Express. All uploaded files must be in PDF format when filing through Maryland Business Express.
For businesses that currently provide excel worksheets and would prefer to continue, please email your supporting data to sdat.persprop@maryland.gov
Always include the complete name of the entity and the Department ID number.
1.Furniture, Fixtures, Tools, Machinery and Equipment not used for Manufacturing or Research and Development This property shall be reported at original cost by year of acquisition without depreciation, investment credit, or trade- in of previously owned property. Include all fully depreciated and property expensed under IRSrules.
This includes, but is not limited to, office furniture, fixtures and equipment, factory equipment and machinery, shelves, signs, counters, etc. All property is to be reported under Category A unless specifically listed in another category. Property reported in columns B through G requires a detailed description (e.g., Column C- Copiers, Fax, etc.). Failure to provide the required detail will result in the reported property being assessed at 10% rate of depreciation.
Refer to the Depreciation Rate List below to determine where property owned by the business should be reported (See, Example, below.)
This property shall be reported at original cost by year of acquisition without deduction of depreciation, investment credit, or trade-in of previously owned property. Include all fully depreciated personal and property expensed under IRS rules.
Example:
ORIGINAL COST BY YEAR OF ACQUISITION
SPECIAL DEPRECIATION RATES B-G (See
TOTAL
chart)
COST
C
G
2014
2013
1150
12800
13,950
2012
3104
8400
11,504
2011
1500
5261
6,761
2010
2009
2500
2,500
2008
9127
500
9,627
2007 &
prior
Totals
14881
3000
21200
44,142
Describe property identified in B - G above: Category D-2011 Personal Computer; Category E-2012,2013 RentalDVDs,,Video Tapes, 2008 Vending Machine; Category C - 2009 Copier $2,000, Fax $500
2. CommercialInventory
Commercial Inventory is merchandise and stock in trade available for sale. This includes manufactured products sold at retail by the manufacturer. An average of twelve
(12)monthly inventories should be reported. Book inventories may be used for months when physical inventories were not taken. Values are to be reported at cost or market value. LIFO method of valuation is prohibited.
Business entities that need a Trader’s License (retail sales) must report commercial inventory!
"If you are unsure of whether this applies to you, please contact your county's Clerk of the Court
at https://www.courts.state.md.us/pia/clerks. Maryland
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Annotated Code, Business Regulation Article §17-1808 allows counties and municipalities to adopt a Uniform Trader's License Fee."
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3. Supplies
Supplies are consumable items not held for sale (e.g., contractor's supplies, office supplies, etc.). Report the average cost.
4.Manufacturing/Research and Development (R&D) Supplies
Manufacturing/Research and Development (R&D) Inventory is raw materials, supplies, goods in process and finished products used in and resulting from manufacturing/R&D by the business. Include manufactured products sold at retail by the manufacturer in item 2 Commercial Inventory.
An average of twelve (12) monthly inventories should be reported. Book inventories may be used for months when physical inventories were not taken. Values are to be reported at cost or market value.
5.Tools, Machinery and Equipment used for Manufacturing or Research and Development(R&D)
Exemption Application Requirements: If the exemption is claimed for the first time, an Exemption Application for Manufacturing and Research & Development must be submitted within 6 months after the date of the first assessment notice for the taxable year that includes the manufacturing personal property, or September 1 of the affected assessment year, before the exemption can be granted.
For more information as well as the application form, visit the Department's website at https://dat.maryland.gov. Proceed to the Businesses section, Business Personal Property and then Quick References. Reporting property on this line item is not a substitute for a manufacturing application.
6.Vehicles
Itemize motor vehicles with Interchangeable Registrations and vehicles that are unregistered (unlicensed).
Vehicles registered in Maryland and classified A-P are exempt and should not be reported on the Personal Property Tax return. Vehicles registered outside Maryland may also be exempt. Exempt vehicles include those registered in another taxing jurisdiction and of a classification (A-P) described in Title 13, Subtitle 9, Part II of the Maryland Transportation Article.
Interchangeable Registrations include: dealer plates (Class 1A, 1B, 1C); recycler plates (Class 2); finance company plates (Class 3); special mobile equipment plates (Class 4); and transporter plates (Class 5).
This property shall be reported at original cost in the year of acquisition without deduction or depreciation, investment credit, or trade-in of previously owned property. Include all fully depreciated personal property and property expensed under IRS rules.
Motor vehicles with Interchangeable Registrations and unregistered/unlicensed vehicles are not exempt and will be assessed as Category C property at 20% depreciation per annum (subject to a minimum assessment of 25% of the original cost).
7. Non-farming Livestock
Report book value and market value.
8. Other Tangible PersonalProperty
Include other tangible personal property not reported elsewhere on this return. Report total cost on thereturn and supply a separate schedule including a description, the original acquisition cost, and the date of acquisition of the
property. Please see additional instruction under Other Personal Property Assessment Exemptions.
Qualified Data Centers as described in 2020 SB 397 and Tax General Art. § 11-239 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, should report their personal property under All other personal property and attach a detailed schedule
9.Property Owned by Others and Used or Held by the Business
All property that is not owned by the business but is held by the business as lessee, on consignment, or otherwise must be reported.
File separate schedule showing names and addresses of owners, lease number, description of property, installation date and cost of each leased asset.
10.Property Owned by the Business and Used or Held by Others
All property that is owned by the business but is held by others as consignee, lessee or otherwise must be reported. All leased property must be reported, including manufacturing equipment, and property leased to tax exempt organizations.
Manufacturer lessors shall report property which has been acquired other than by purchase at the retail selling price in the year the property was manufactured (including property manufactured by a business for its own use). Manufacturing lessors may not report this property using the cost of manufacture.
A separate schedule showing the names and addresses of lessees, lease numbers, description of property, installation date and original cost by year of acquisition for each location must be supplied. Provide the physical street address of lessees. Post Office Box numbers are not acceptable.
Excel schedules of leasing data may be submitted. Verify that the entity name and ID number are prominent on the schedule. Schedule may be filed electronically and submitted to sdat.persprop@maryland.gov
Please note that a Form 1, Annual
Report/Business Personal Property Tax
Return are still required.
SECTION VII
All Businesses must complete A-C
A.If this is the entity’s first Maryland business personal property return, state whether or not it succeeds an established business and provide the name of the business.
B.Although it may be common practice not to report fully depreciated and/or expensed property on the Federal Income Tax Return, it should be reported on the Business Personal Property Return and is subject to assessment. If the business owns any fully depreciated and/or expensed personal property, and it is not reported in Section VII, please complete Form SD1. It may be necessary to include a schedule that contains detailed description of the personal property, the original cost, and the year of acquisition.
C. If the business has disposed of or transferred assets in to or out of Maryland during the prior year, please complete Form SD1 and provide the cost of the disposed/transferred property, the manner of disposal, and to whom the property
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was transferred. Please provide sales agreements, settlement sheets or other supportingdocumentation.
TRANSFER OF PROPERTY
If a business transfers, sells, or disposes of all personal property on or after January 1, but before July 1, the Department must be notified in writing on or before October
1.The notification must contain an itemized description of the property involved, the date and manner of transfer, the name(s) and address of the new owner(s) of the property, the consideration received, and a copy of the
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sales agreement (if available). Upon proper notification and compliance with Section 10- 402 of the Tax Property Article, the assessment shall be transferred to the new owner(s). See Form 21 as you may be required to complete and submit it to the Department.
OUT OF BUSINESS
If a business discontinues operations or goes out of
business prior to January 1, and has not filed Articles of
Dissolution (Domestic Corporations), an Application for Termination (Foreign Corporations), a Certificate of
Cancellation (LLC) or a Withdrawal Notice (LLP, LP) with the Department’s Charter Division, a return or letter of explanation detailing the date the business ceased operations and what happened to the property must be
filed. Failure to provide this information may result in an estimated assessment being made against the business and the business not having good standing status.
Businesses that have not filed Articles of Dissolution, an Application for Termination, a Certificate of Cancellation or
a Withdrawal Notice are legally active until they do so, or until their charters are forfeited (Domestic Corporations), or their authority to do business is forfeited (Foreign Corporations, LLCs, LLPs, LPs, statutory trusts (formerly business trusts), and REITs). See website Charter Business Services for frequently asked questions.
AUDIT OF RETURN
All personal property assessments, and any information, and figures reported on the personal property return,
accompanying schedules and related documents are subject to audit. As a result of such audits, the Department may issue corrected assessments.
AMENDED TAX RETURNS
Amended Business Personal Property Tax Returns can be filed to correct reporting errors or claim a missed exemption (except for missed manufacturing exemptions) within 3 years of the April 15th date that the return was originally due. Amended returns must be accompanied by information explaining why the personal property tax return is being amended and reconciling the differences with the original tax return. Please write AMENDED across the top of page 1 and in the REMARKS section, along with a brief explanation for the amended personal property tax return. You may also wish to provide additional detail for an amended return by making use of the Form SD1. Again,
please verify that your entity name and Department ID number figure prominently. Do not send $300 filing fee
with an amended tax return. Amended tax returns should be mailed to:
Personal Property Division
301 W. Preston Street
Baltimore, Maryland21201-2395
EXEMPTIONS
Personal Property Tax Exemptions provided by statute
shall be strictly construed. Before an exemption can be obtained, the taxpayer must show affirmatively that the
exemption is clearly allowed.
Businesses may file amended returns to correct reporting errors or claim missed exemptions (except for missed manufacturing exemptions) within three years of the April 15th date that the return was originally due. The following are examples of two of the more common personal property tax exemptions.
Manufacturing and Research and Development, Tax Property Article § 7-225
For manufacturing exemption requests, an application must be submitted on or before September 1 of the assessment year in order to qualify for the current tax year. Please see https://dat.maryland.gov for the Manufacturing and R&D Exemption Application. Section 7-104 of the Tax-Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland has been
revised to include subsection (d) that allows the owner of manufacturing personal property to file an application within 6 months after the date of the first assessment notice for a
taxable year that includes the manufacturing personal property. If the application is approved, the exemption shall be granted for the taxable year. This exception to the September 1 deadline is applicable to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2009. No manufacturing exemption can be granted unless a timely application is
filed.
Once the exemption is granted to an entity, no additional manufacturing applications are required in subsequent years. Manufacturing assets acquired after the exemption is granted will need to be described as well as the role the assets play in the manufacturing process. If this information is not provided, the assets will likely be subject to assessment.
It will be necessary to provide the letter from the Department granting your entity the Manufacturing/R&D Exemption, to any companies that lease manufacturing
equipment to your entity so that the leased equipment can qualify for the exemption. The law specifically includes the
following activities as part of the manufacturing process: (1) the identification, design or genetic engineering of
biological materials for research or manufacture; and (2) the design, development or creation of computer software for sale, lease orlicense.
Other personal property assessment exemptions: All personal property owned by certain organizations, including religious groups, government, non-profit hospitals, cemetery and mausoleum companies, and certain other organizations, or groups which meet certain “strict use” criteria is exempt. These are referred to as exempt organizations and are fully exempt throughout Maryland from any assessment and taxation. In section V, F or in Remarks, please give a brief explanation or reason for the exemption.
Charitable or Educational Purposes, Tax-Property Article § 7-202
Non-stock educational or charitable exemptions are also obtained by filing an application. An organization must submit written information detailing its operation in the form of the Department’s Charitable Application.
If the organization is required to file an IRS Form 990, it
should be included with the application. Also, submit a copy of the 501(c)(3) certification from the IRS. Please note that because the laws differ, organizations granted exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service are not necessarily exempt from personal property taxation in Maryland. The exemption applies to the assessment. Entities that are granted an exemption under Tax Property Article 7-202, are still required to file the Form 1.
Exemption applications may be emailed to sdat.ppaudit@maryland.gov
In addition, State law requires that certain types of personal property be fully exempt throughout Maryland from any
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Filing the Maryland Personal Property Form 1 (Annual Report & Business Personal Property Return) is essential for all business entities operating in Maryland. This process ensures your business complies with state laws and regulations, and it's a way to report any personal property your business owns or uses. With a deadline of April 15th each year, it's crucial to prepare early to avoid any late fees or potential forfeiture of the right to conduct business in Maryland. By following these detailed instructions, you can ensure that your form is accurately completed and submitted on time.
Approach this process with attention to detail to ensure your business remains in good standing within Maryland. If you need assistance or have questions, contact the relevant SDAT unit via the provided phone numbers or visit their website. Timely and accurate filing of this form is crucial for the continued success and legal compliance of your business in Maryland.
All business entities formed, qualified, or registered to do business in Maryland as of January 1st are required to file the Annual Report. This includes a variety of entity types such as corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and trusts, both from within Maryland (domestic) and from outside Maryland (foreign).
The filing deadline is April 15th each year. If April 15th lands on a weekend, the due date is extended to the following Monday. It’s important to note that Annual Reports postmarked by the close of business on this day are considered timely. Additionally, a 60-day extension can be requested through the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation's website before the April 15th deadline.
The report and return can be filed online via the Maryland Business Express system. Alternatively, they may be submitted in person at the State of Maryland - State Center in Baltimore, or through mail to the specified address. Filings must include a signed Annual Report and the applicable filing fee.
Filing fees vary based on the type of business entity:
Businesses filing late are subject to penalties, which are based on how late the report is filed. The penalties range from a minimum of $30 to a maximum of $500, with additional interest accruing for extended delinquencies. The exact penalty can only be determined after the Personal Property Tax Return is filed and may vary based on the business's county assessment.
Understanding and avoiding these common mistakes can greatly smooth the submission process for the Maryland Personal Property Form, ensuring compliance and avoiding penalties. Always review the form carefully before submitting to ensure all information is complete and accurate.
Completing the Maryland Personal Property form requires accurate and thorough documentation about your business. To ensure compliance and accuracy, several other documents and forms are often used alongside this main form. These documents play a crucial role in providing a comprehensive view of your business's personal property and overall operations.
Collecting and preparing these documents in advance can streamline the process of completing the Maryland Personal Property form. Ensure you keep these documents updated and accessible annually, as they are not only critical for filing purposes but also serve as important records of your business’s operations and financial status.
The Md Personal Property form is similar to other types of business documentation that detail company assets and financial activity, though it has its specific uses and requirements. Here is a breakdown of documents it resembles and key differences:
When preparing to file the Maryland Personal Property Form, the following guidelines will ensure accurate and timely submission, avoiding common mistakes and the risk of penalties. It is crucial to understand what should and should not be done during the process. Here are ten essential dos and don'ts:
Adhering to these guidelines will facilitate a smoother filing process, ensuring compliance with Maryland state requirements and helping to avoid potential fines or penalties associated with late or incorrect submissions.
It's a common belief that the Md Personal Property form only applies to businesses that physically own property in Maryland. This is incorrect. The requirement extends to all business entities, irrespective of whether they own property, generate income, or have conducted business activity in Maryland during the year.
Many assume that filing the Annual Report is optional and can be skipped without consequences. In reality, failing to file may result in the forfeiture of the entity’s right to conduct business in the state of Maryland.
Another misconception is about the deadline being strictly April 15th. Although this date is significant, if it falls on a weekend, the due date extends to the following Monday. Extensions are also available, but must be requested by April 15th, benefiting those who may need more time.
There's a misunderstanding that paper extensions are still accepted. This has changed, and the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation now requires extension requests to be made online, ensuring a more streamlined process.
Some business owners think that online filing is just one of the options and not recommended. However, filing online through the Maryland Business Express system is encouraged for its efficiency and convenience, although submissions in person or by mail are still accepted.
A commonly held view is that filing fees are negotiable or adjustable. The truth is, most business entities are subject to a filing fee of $300, with specific exemptions. This fee accompanies the Annual Report and is non-negotiable.
There's a notion that late penalties are open to interpretation or can be waived easily. Late filing penalties are enforced rigorously, with minimum and maximum amounts set, and interest accruing for each period of delay beyond the due date.
Finally, it's wrongly assumed that all businesses know their SDAT Department ID and should easily include it on their report. In practice, this identifier is critical for ensuring proper credit to your account, and businesses are urged to verify their ID if uncertain.
When dealing with the Maryland Personal Property Form, understanding the process and requirements is crucial for all businesses operating within the state. Here are key takeaways to ensure compliance and accuracy:
Accuracy and attention to detail can prevent costly delays and penalties. Businesses are advised to review their filings carefully before submission and ensure that all applicable sections are completed and the proper fees are included.
Understanding these key points can help simplify the process, making it less daunting for businesses to stay compliant with Maryland’s requirements.
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