Budget & Taxes (Business Taxes)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 840: Property Tax - Credit for Commercial Buildings Rented to Small Businesses

HB 840 would allow Baltimore City and local Maryland counties or municipalities to create a property tax credit for commercial buildings rented to small businesses. This credit applies only to buildings located in designated Arts and Entertainment Districts (under Title 4, Subtitle 7 of the Economic Development Article) or Main Street Maryland Communities (designated by the Department of Housing and Community Development). Local governments would set the credit amount, duration, eligibility rules, and application process. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026, for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax credit for small businesses in designated districts, reducing tax burden and supporting local economic development through fiscal relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Tax Incentives Tags Small Business

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 767: Property Tax - Credit for Commercial Buildings Rented to Small Businesses

SB 767 would allow Baltimore City and Maryland counties or municipalities to create a property tax credit for commercial buildings rented at fair market value to small businesses located in two specific zones: Arts and Entertainment Districts (under Title 4, Subtitle 7 of the Economic Development Article) or designated Main Street Maryland communities. Local governments would set the credit amount, duration, eligibility rules, and application process through their own ordinances. The credit applies to property taxes on qualifying buildings and takes effect for tax years beginning after June 30, 2026. This bill directly affects small businesses renting commercial space in these designated areas and the local governments managing property tax policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates property tax credit for small businesses in designated zones, providing direct tax relief to lower/middle-income entities through local government ordinances.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Tax Incentives Tags Small Business

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 898: Economic Development - Delivering Economic Competitiveness and Advancing Development Efforts (DECADE) Act

HB 898, the DECADE Act, reorganizes Maryland's economic development programs to streamline administration and expand incentives. It redesignates the Economic Development Opportunities Program Account as the "Strategic Closing Fund" under the Department of Commerce, alters eligibility and calculation rules for tax credits (including Job Creation, R&D, and film production credits), and extends the Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program. The bill allows pass-through entities to allocate tax credits to members and removes limits on film production tax credit certificates. These changes directly affect businesses, investors, and film producers seeking state economic development incentives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credits (Job Creation, R&D, film) and streamlines incentives, directly advancing economic development funding via tax policy.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill includes R&D tax credits, a direct incentive for technology innovation and advancement, supporting tech industry growth.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 547: Recipients of State and Local Government Funding - Reporting (Buy Maryland Reporting Requirements)

SB 547 requires state and local government units, as well as businesses receiving state funding for goods or services, to report annual details about how funds are used. Specifically, it mandates that recipients disclose contractor/subcontractor information - including addresses, employee counts, work locations, and minority business certification status - on annual reports to the Comptroller and on business tax returns. The Comptroller must then compile this data into an annual report for the legislature, including metrics like the percentage of in-state vs. out-of-state contractors and minority business participation. This bill directly affects government entities, funded businesses, and their contractors, aiming to increase transparency in public spending. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates transparency in fund usage for fiscal accountability, aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators in budget oversight.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Business Taxes Government Spending Tags Data Reporting

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 388: Economic Development - Delivering Economic Competitiveness and Advancing Development Efforts (DECADE) Act

SB 388, the DECADE Act, reorganizes Maryland's economic development programs to streamline administration and adjust eligibility for tax incentives. It redesignates the Economic Development Opportunities Program Account as the Strategic Closing Fund within the Department of Commerce, alters how video lottery proceeds are distributed, and modifies rules for several tax credits - including Job Creation, Research and Development, and film production credits - to expand access for businesses and investors. Key changes include allowing pass-through entities to allocate biotechnology tax credits differently, enabling film producers to amend credit applications, and extending the Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program. The bill directly affects businesses seeking economic development tax credits and state agencies managing these programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands business tax credits (Job Creation, R&D, film) via restructured incentives, advancing economic development funding mechanisms without defunding or restricting.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 23, 2026

HB 484: Corporate Income Tax - Addition Modification - Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising

HB 484 modifies Maryland's corporate income tax code to disallow deductions for certain direct-to-consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical advertising expenses that are deductible under federal law. It specifically targets expenses paid by "covered entities" (pharmaceutical sponsors or companies owning drug outsourcing facilities) for advertising "covered drugs" (prescription drugs under federal law) to the general public via media like TV, radio, social media, or digital platforms. The bill requires these expenses - already deducted federally - to be added back to Maryland taxable income, effectively eliminating the state tax deduction for such advertising. This change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and directly affects pharmaceutical companies engaging in DTC advertising for covered drugs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCloses tax loophole by disallowing corporate deductions for pharmaceutical advertising, increasing tax revenue per fiscal responsibility indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 26, 2026

HB 294: Personal Property Tax - Exemptions for Low Assessment - Alteration

HB 294 modifies Maryland's personal property tax law to simplify exemptions for small businesses. It repeals restrictions that previously prevented the State Department of Assessments and Taxation from collecting information or requiring tax returns from businesses owning business personal property valued under $20,000 total (excluding vehicles). This change directly affects small business owners with low-value equipment, removing administrative burdens by eliminating the need to submit tax returns or provide property details if they qualify for the exemption. The law takes effect June 1, 2026, for taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesSimplifies personal property tax exemptions for small businesses under $20k, reducing compliance burdens and providing tax relief per legislative intent.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Tags Small Business

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 16, 2026

HB 133: Income Tax and Sales and Use Tax - Rate Reductions and Alterations

HB 133 reduces Maryland's individual and corporate income tax rates, with key changes to capital gains taxation. It exempts the first $10,000 of net capital gains from tax for residents aged 65 or older and removes income tax on capital gains from primary home sales (under $1.5 million), retirement accounts, and certain agricultural or conservation land. The bill also repeals the sales tax on data, information technology services, and software publishing. These changes directly affect Maryland residents and businesses subject to state income and sales tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces income tax rates for individuals/corporations and exempts capital gains for seniors, providing direct tax relief per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRepeals sales tax on data, IT services, and software publishing, lowering costs for tech providers and indirectly supporting the technology sector.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Sales Tax

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 26, 2026

HB 90: Property Taxes - Authority of Counties to Establish a Subclass and Set a Special Rate for Commercial and Industrial Property

HB 90 allows Maryland counties and Baltimore City to create a special property tax rate for commercial and industrial properties - including mixed-use buildings - to fund transportation projects or school budgets. It requires counties to automatically exempt the residential portion of mixed-use properties from this special tax using public records, without requiring owner applications. The special rate must be in addition to the general tax rate, cannot exceed 12.5 cents per $100 assessed value total, and cannot apply to residential parts of qualifying buildings. This directly affects commercial/industrial property owners, particularly those with mixed-use properties, by modifying how their taxes are calculated for specific public funding purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates targeted property tax to fund transportation/school budgets, strengthening public service funding without burdening residential properties.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationHB 90 explicitly allows counties to use special property taxes for school budgets, directly increasing education funding sources without requiring additional legislative action.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly authorizes special property tax to fund transportation projects, directly advancing infrastructure funding through dedicated revenue.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 224: Property Taxes - Authority of Counties to Establish a Subclass and Set a Special Rate for Commercial and Industrial Property

SB 224 allows counties and Baltimore City to create a special property tax rate for commercial and industrial properties, in addition to the general tax rate, to fund transportation projects or school budgets. The special rate cannot exceed 12.5 cents per $100 of assessed value and must automatically exempt the residential portion of mixed-use buildings from this tax. It also permits counties to grant tax credits to small businesses (under 20 employees) owning qualifying commercial property. This bill directly affects commercial/industrial property owners and mixed-use building residents, while ensuring residential portions remain tax-exempt under the special rate.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates special property tax rate for commercial/industrial properties to fund transportation projects and school budgets, directly advancing public service funding through targeted taxation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly permits counties to use special property tax revenue for school budgets, creating a potential new funding source for education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Tax Incentives

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