Supreme Court Reminds Marylanders Just How Much They Get Taxed

by Nick Peang-Meth

Today, in the 5-4 decision in the case Comptroller of the Treasury of Maryland v. Wynne, parts of Maryland’s tax policy were found unconstitutional, in a case with serious and wide-ranging consequences for Maryland.

The case stems form Maryland’s taxation policy on income earned by Maryland citizens in other states. Whereas most states have provisions to give tax credits to citizens who have already paid taxes in other states, Maryland does not. This means Marylanders who work or earn income in other states get taxed twice.

The case has been working its way through the court system for some time now, and today’s Supreme Court decision reaffirms a previous ruling by Maryland’s highest court, the Court of Appeals.

It is painfully fitting that of all the states, Maryland is the one to be found taxing their citizens in a way that violates the constitution. After all, we have lived through tax and spend policies for eight years under O’Malley-Brown Administration, and for even longer at the county level. This cases serves as a harsh reminder that even with a new governor, too many in Maryland turn to taxation as a cure for all ills. Let’s hope this case reminds legislators in Annapolis to focus more on serving Marylanders, not taxing them.

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The implications for Maryland are severe and mind-boggling – according to the Maryland Comptroller’s Office, roughly 55,000 taxpayers may be eligible for refunds totaling (with interest) well over $200 million.

And so, barely 100 days into his governorship, Larry Hogan is tasked with another trying challenge not of his own making. First, he had to deal with a billion dollar structural deficit. Then, liberal attempts to drain the pension fund. And in between, his state’s biggest city fell to violent riots and looting.

As Marylanders, we must all hope he handles this challenge as ably as he has those.