Tax Credit

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- The Washington County Commissioners passed an ordinance Tuesday that establishes a property tax credit for the spouses of fallen law enforcement officers and rescue workers. The credit will be available to the spouses of law enforcement or correctional officers who die as a result of, or in the course of, their employment. It also will apply to the spouse of anyone who dies while in the active service of a fire, rescue or emergency medical service, unless the death was the result of the individual's own willful misconduct or abuse of alcohol or drugs.

HAGERSTOWN - Maryland homeowners with limited incomes can get a break on their property taxes, thanks to a state program that was enacted in 1975, said Tim O'Rourke, supervisor of assessment for the State Assessment Office in Hagerstown. The Homeowners' Property Tax Credit Program sets a property-tax limit for qualifying homeowners whose annual gross income is $60,000 or less, according to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. An eligible homeowner earning $30,000 annually, for example, would not have to pay more than $1,680 per year in property taxes.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- More than 15 million taxpayers could unexpectedly owe taxes when they file their federal returns next spring because the government was too generous with their new Making Work Pay tax credit. Taxpayers are at risk if they have more than one job, are married and both spouses work, or receive Social Security benefits while also earning taxable wages, according to a report Monday by the Treasury Department's inspector general for tax administration. The tax credit, which is supposed to pay individuals up to $400 and couples up to $800, was President Barack Obama's signature tax break in the massive stimulus package enacted in February.

If you are a wannabe first-time home buyer with a relatively modest salary who could take advantage of the federal income tax credit of up to $8,000 for people in your position, then you'll need to act promptly before the window on this home-buying incentive closes on Dec. 1. "In terms of home-buying, Dec. 1 is just around the corner and this is a tough corner to get around," said Merrill Ottwein, a real estate broker and former president of...

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- Police officers, correctional officers and emergency service workers disabled in the line of duty or the spouses of those workers killed while on duty could benefit under a property tax credit considered Tuesday by the Washington County Commissioners. The credit, approved by the Maryland General Assembly during the 2008 Regular Session, would apply to the county portion of property tax bills. County governments can decide whether to adopt the credit and also can determine the amount and duration of the credit.

HAGERSTOWN -- Rustin and Doreen Riss are building the home of their dreams near Hagerstown, but until about three weeks ago, the decision had a disappointing side. Then, with the stroke of President Obama's pen, the couple and thousands of other home buyers across the nation have been given a reprieve -- and eventually, a windfall amounting to thousands of dollars. "It's a nice little surprise," Rustin Riss said. "Yes, I mean who's not happy with 6,500 bucks?" Doreen said.

Washington County officials agreed Tuesday to devote further study to two economic development ideas: a tax credit for high-performance or “green” buildings and a revolving loan fund for loans to businesses. The county Board of Commissioners reached a consensus to send both ideas to the county's Economic Development Commission for study and recommendations. County Administrator Gregory B. Murray suggested that the county offer a property tax credit for high-performance buildings that receive silver or higher ratings on the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, building-rating system.

A 55,555 square-foot, three-story office building under construction at Fountainhead Plaza near Hagerstown is expected to be completed by December, developer Asad Ghattas said Tuesday after a groundbreaking ceremony. At the ceremony, Washington County officials recognized the Fountainhead One Professional Offices project as one of the first to take advantage of two county incentive programs, a “pad-ready” stimulus program and a “green building” tax credit for high-performance commercial buildings.

Today is Tax Day. Well, usually. The Internal Revenue Service gave taxpayers a bit of a break this year when it made the filing deadline April 18. Some of you likely are happy with your refund, while others might be fuming about what you had to fork over. Last year, a Pew Research poll found that the popularity of the much-maligned IRS had surged more than any government agency over the past 15 years. While most government agencies are declining in the public's opinion, the IRS rating was up 9 percentage points since 1997, according to the poll.

Tornado warning issued for parts of Md., W.Va. After fire's devastation, family and friends come to the rescue Teen birth rate down, but officials continue work The race is on to buy before the tax credit expires What's wrong with this picture?