SB 163 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Income Tax - Addition Modification for Federal Tax-Exempt Income - Study

SB 163 modifies Maryland's income tax calculation by removing a requirement to include certain foreign earned income in taxable income. It specifically exempts income that qualifies for exclusion under federal law (IRS Section 911), such as earnings from work abroad that are already excluded from federal taxes but would otherwise be added to Maryland taxable income. This change directly affects Maryland residents earning qualifying foreign income who currently face state taxation on that income. The bill amends Maryland tax code sections 10-204(a) and 10-204(c)(1)(I) and takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Oct 22, 2025 Signed Apr 28, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Income Tax - Addition Modification for Federal Tax-Exempt Income - Alterations Enrolled - Income Tax - Addition Modification for Federal Tax-Exempt Income - Study · 4 edits · Apr 28, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was converted from a version that altered tax laws to a version that requires a study. Instead of changing how taxes are calculated, the new version instructs the Office of the Comptroller to research and report on foreign earned income issues by December 1, 2026.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed from enacting permanent tax modifications to conducting a temporary study and report.
REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the Office of the Comptroller to study and report on the number of residents with foreign earned income, the amount exceeding federal limits, and the countries where this income was earned.

TIMELINE

Set a specific deadline of December 1, 2026, for the Comptroller to submit the study report to the Governor and General Assembly.

SCOPE

Changed the bill title and purpose from 'Alterations' (making law changes) to 'Study' (gathering information), removing the permanent tax calculation changes.

TECHNICAL

Added standard enrolled bill formatting, including placeholders for the Governor's signature and proofreader details.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2026

How they voted

440
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 49
Mar 24, 2026
D Democratic36
33 Yea 3
91% Yea
R Republican13
11 Yea 2
84% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Apr 28, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 315
executive
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Enrolled
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Introduced
Senate Concurs House Amendments
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (44-0-5)
senate
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Referred Ways and Means
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
First Reading Budget and Taxation
upper
Oct 22, 2025
Introduced
Pre-filed
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors