Meet US Senator Ben Cardin in Beltsville September 5
Senator Cardin (D, Maryland) is coming to Beltsville at 6:30 pm, September 5, to hear our concerns and update us on national issues, including health insurance, drug prices, the Supreme Court, Russian interference in our elections, and federal jobs and contracts. To get the location (which was not confirmed at press time), just call 240.233.6883 or go to 21stdistrictdemocraticteam.com on the web.
“Senator Cardin wants to hear from us,” said Senator Jim Rosapepe, who, along with Delegates Barbara Frush, Joseline Peña-Melnyk, and Ben Barnes, invited him. “He’s been a strong champion of BARC, MARC, Laurel Hospital, the University of Maryland, and our local schools. I hope you can join us.”
2018 Greater Beltsville Charity Golf Classic—Friday, September 14
For the seventh year, the Greater Beltsville Business Association (GBBA) will host its annual Greater Beltsville Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, September 14, from 7:30 am–2:30 pm at Patuxent Greens Golf Club. All proceeds are given back to our community. For more information, contact BeltsvilleBusiness@gmail.com or 301.343.5584. Hope you can support this great cause!
Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit—September 1 application deadline
This program is for homeowners with a combined gross household income of $60,000 or less. It allows credits against the homeowners’ property tax bill, but the taxes must exceed a fixed percentage of a person’s gross income. It sets a limit on the amount of property taxes a homeowner must pay based on income. Income is defined as the gross income before any deductions are taken. Nontaxable retirement benefits such as Social Security and Railroad Retirement must be reported as income. You must apply every year no later than September on a standard application supplied by the Department of Assessments and Taxation. Example: If your combined household income is $16,000, your tax limit is $420. You would be entitled to receive a credit for any taxes above the $420. If your actual property tax bill is $990, you would receive a tax credit in the amount of $570, the difference between the actual tax bill and the tax limit. Apply at this link: http://dat.maryland.gov/realproperty/Pages/Homeowners'-Property-Tax-Credit-Program.aspx.
Renters’ tax credit—September 1 application deadline
If a renter is over age 60 and has less than $200,000 in assets, the renter is eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $1,000. Also, Prince George’s County gives an additional credit of 50% of the state credit, so the maximum credit in Prince George’s is $1500. The renters must be living in a building where the owner is paying real estate taxes (i.e., not a government-owned building). The deadline for filing is September 1. The application and instructions are on the Department of Assessments website http://dat.maryland.gov/realproperty/Pages/Renters'-Tax-Credits.aspx or call 410.767.4433.
Student Loan Tax Credit—September 15 application deadline
The tax credit will be available to Maryland taxpayers who: 1. File Maryland state income taxes for the tax year; 2. Have incurred at least $20,000 undergraduate and graduate student loan debt; 3. Have at least $5,000 in outstanding student loan debt remaining when applying for the tax credit; 4. Have completed and applied to the Maryland Higher Education Commission by September 15, 2018; and 5. Have submitted all required graduate and undergraduate student loan information, including Maryland income tax information and college transcripts. To download the application, visit mhec.maryland.gov and click "File for the 2018 Tax Credit."
Contact us
Please let us know if there are other issues you have questions or thoughts about. Moreover, of course, feel free to be in touch if we can help you. Just email 21stDistrictDelegation@gmail.com or call 301.858.3141.