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How to Remove a Maryland Driver’s License Hold for Unpaid Taxes

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If you owe back taxes in Maryland, the consequences go far beyond penalties and interest.

One of the most aggressive collection tools used by the Maryland Comptroller is placing a hold on your driver’s license or vehicle registration through the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). This is much more than an inconvenience for many taxpayers and business owners. It can have a direct impact on your ability to work, earn income, and handle your affairs.

If you’ve received notice of a license hold, here’s what you need to know.

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How Far Back Can You File Your Taxes?

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If you’ve fallen behind on filing tax returns, you’re not alone. Life events such as illness, divorce, business downturns, financial hardship, or simply becoming overwhelmed can delay your tax filing. 

The good news is that most back tax situations are fixable and often more manageable than people might expect. 

You can file your back taxes for any year, no matter how far in the past. However, to be considered in good standing with the IRS, taxpayers generally need to have filed the most recent six years of required returns. 

There is an important limitation to understand: if you are owed a refund, the IRS will only issue it if the return is filed within three years of the original due date. After that, the refund is permanently forfeited. 

 

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Maryland Tax Preparation Services: Accurate, Compliant, and Strategically Prepared

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Maryland and federal tax laws are complex, constantly changing, and filled with both opportunities and risks. Preparing your own tax return can feel overwhelming, especially if your financial situation involves a business, investments, multiple income sources, or prior tax issues.

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Installment Agreements: How Maryland Taxpayers Can Regain Control of IRS Debt

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Owing back taxes to the IRS can feel overwhelming, especially when penalties and interest keep piling on month after month. Many Maryland taxpayers come to us after receiving notices about levies, wage garnishments, bank account seizures, or tax liens, unsure how they’ll ever catch up.

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Have to Pay? What You Can Do After a Use & Sales Tax Audit in Maryland

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If you’re a Maryland small business owner who has just gone through a use or sales tax audit, you may now be facing a bill from the Comptroller of Maryland for tax, interest, and possibly penalties. 

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Facing a Use or Sales Tax Audit in Maryland? Here’s What to Do

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If you are facing a use or sales tax audit, S.H. Block Tax Services in Baltimore can help. Contact us today. 

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Sales and Use Tax Compliance in Maryland: What You Should Know

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If you’re a small‑business owner in Maryland, keeping your sales and use tax (SUT) compliance on track is a core part of protecting your business from disruptive audits, unexpected tax bills, fines, and penalties. 

At S.H. Block Tax Services, we help business owners build a smart compliance posture so that they are audit‑ready, not audit‑reactive.  

Here are some tips on how to proactively manage SUT that covers Maryland‑specific rules, practical steps, and how we can support you every step of the way. 

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Need to Release a Tax-Related License Hold? S.H. Block Tax Services Can Help

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You may depend on your state-issued driver’s license and permits to commute to work and support your family. Losing that ability is more than just an inconvenience. It can harm your ability to earn, maintain independence, and live your fullest life. 

Sometimes, the state may place a driver’s license hold—or holds on other important allowances such as professional or business permits—because of unpaid taxes or unfiled returns. It can feel overwhelming, but there’s a clear path to getting your license back in your wallet. 

That’s where S.H. Block Tax Services comes in. We help people resolve their tax issues quickly and compassionately. If you need help now, don’t hesitate to call our Baltimore tax office at (410) 872-8376 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation. 

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Can I Get a Passport if I Owe Taxes?

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Owing back taxes can cause plenty of setbacks and headaches. It can even stop you from obtaining, renewing, or keeping your U.S. passport.  

If you owe over a certain amount in seriously delinquent federal tax debt, the IRS may notify the State Department of your account. This can lead to passport denial, suspension, or full revocation. 

But there are ways you can reclaim your passport and move on with your life. In this blog, we’ll discuss what your options are and how S.H. Block Tax Services can help. 
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Take Advantage of the IRS’ First-Time Penalty Abatement Policy

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Filing and paying state and federal taxes can be complicated, inconvenient, and unnerving. Deadlines can be hard to remember and even harder to meet. And since state and federal tax law is constantly changing, it’s nearly impossible to keep up.

With all this confusion and bureaucracy, failing to file and pay your taxes is an understandable mistake—and one that is easy to make.

If you’ve missed a filing or payment deadline, you’re probably subject to penalties. But you could be eligible to waive these fees if you meet certain criteria. Keep reading to learn more about the IRS First Time Penalty Abatement program and how it could improve your tax situation.

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