oceancityrealtor's Blog

HB 448 is another "grab at consumers wallets" by our wonderful State Government. Thank you to the sponsors of yet another way to tax "services", which in turn must distribute some of the incurred cost to consumers, and still end up with deficits in the budget. THIS BILL IF IT PASSES WILL NEGATIVELY IMPACT ALL OF US, and ,as a Realtor will directly impact the following: -taxing all  real estate services will place affordable rentals and homes further out of reach of Marylanders. -landlords bottom lines will be impacted pressuring rent increases. -this bill would ultimately impact low to moderate income families the most Real Estate current contribution to the Maryland budget is $132 million alone from transfer taxes. At the local level transfer and recordation taxes have increased significantly and account for about $1 billion in revenue. So, far $500 million has been raised in State property taxes on residential housing. Remember the next time you go to the polls to cast your vote, and do not vote for the following sponsors of this bill. These are long term (or seeking to be) politicians who have no other agenda than to tax and spend and find more creative ways to spend our hard earned dollars. Dollars we all would love to turn back into our wonderful businesses, tourist attractions, and economy of this great State...and not flush into the black hole of spending that our government has returned (since this recent election).

The sponsors of this bill are : Delegate Jim Gilchrist, District 17 Delegate Sheila E. Hixson, District 20 Delegate Jolene Ivey, District 47 Delegate Anne R. Kaiser, District 14

Three Montgomery County politicians and one Prince Georges politician, to negatively impact ALL Marylanders and business owners. Way to go!

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Tax – General
11–101.
(m) “Taxable service” means:
(1) fabrication, printing, or production of tangible personal property by special order;

(2) commercial cleaning or laundering of textiles for a buyer who is engaged in a business that requires the recurring service of commercial cleaning or laundering of the textiles;
(3) cleaning of a commercial or industrial building;
(4) cellular telephone or other mobile telecommunications service;
(5) “900”, “976”, “915”, and other “900”–type telecommunications service;
(6) custom calling service provided in connection with basic telephone service;
(7) a telephone answering service;
(8) CABLE TELEVISION, INCLUDING pay per view television service;
(9) credit reporting;
(10) a security service, including:
(i) a detective, guard, or armored car service; and
(ii) a security systems service;
(11) a transportation service for transmission, distribution, or delivery of electricity or natural gas, if the sale or use of the electricity or natural gas is subject to the sales and use tax; [or]
(12) a prepaid telephone calling arrangement;
(13) A MOTOR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE OR REPAIR SERVICE,INCLUDING:
(I) A MOTOR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE OR REPAIR SERVICE CONTRACT OR EXTENDED WARRANTY CONTRACT;
(II) MOTOR VEHICLE WASHING AND WAXING SERVICES;
(III) ROAD SERVICE AND TOWING SERVICE; AND
(IV) MOTOR VEHICLE PAINTING, RUSTPROOFING, AND UNDERCOATING;
(14) A PARKING FACILITY OR SERVICE;
(15) A BARBER OR BEAUTY SERVICE;
(16) A TANNING, MASSAGE, OR PHYSICAL FITNESS FACILITY OR SERVICE;
(17) A DOCKING OR LANDING SERVICE;
(18) AN ENGINEERING SERVICE;
(19) A STORAGE SERVICE, INCLUDING HOUSEHOLD GOODS STORAGE, MINISTORAGE, AND COLD STORAGE;
(20) A SHOE REPAIR SERVICE;
(21) A TAX PREPARATION SERVICE;
(22) A SAUNA OR STEAM BATH FACILITY OR SERVICE;
(23) A WEIGHING MACHINE SERVICE;
(24) A PUBLIC LOCKER RENTAL OR SERVICE;
(25) A DATING OR ESCORT SERVICE;
(26) A DIETING SERVICE;
(27) A DIRECT MAIL ADVERTISING SERVICE;
(28) A COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC OR ART SERVICE;
(29) A STENOGRAPHIC SERVICE;
(30) AN EXTERMINATING SERVICE;
(31) A PERSONNEL SUPPLY SERVICE, INCLUDING:
(I) AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY SERVICE; OR
(II) A TEMPORARY HELP SERVICE;
(32) A MANAGEMENT, MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, PUBLIC RELATIONS, OR OTHER BUSINESS CONSULTING SERVICE;
(33) A REAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICE;
(34) A TESTING LABORATORY SERVICE;
(35) A SIGN PAINTING SERVICE;
(36) AN INTERIOR DECORATING SERVICE;
(37) AN AUCTIONEERING SERVICE;
(38) A BUSINESS BROKERAGE SERVICE;
(39) A DRAFTING SERVICE;
(40) AN INDEPENDENT LECTURE BUREAU SERVICE;
(41) A PRINTING BROKERAGE SERVICE;
(42) A NOTARY PUBLIC SERVICE; OR
(43) A SHOP WINDOW DECORATING SERVICE. What service can you see, is suspiciously absent.... Legal Services? HHHMMM, thats odd? Sorry if this was a bit dry...but, this is very important.

GO TERPS!  and Colonials                                      
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