On Friday, February 21, 2020, Delegate Mary Ann Lisanti (Harford County) will testify in front of the House Ways and Means Committee in support of her legislation, House Bill 371, which would exempt military retirement income from Maryland State taxes. 

Delegate Lisanti said “The legislature has been working on reducing the tax burden on our Veterans for some time now…It is about time we move aggressively to keep our retired members of the military here in Maryland.”

Maryland is home to over 55,000 veterans who receive a pension their military service. Currently those Maryland Veterans who receive a pension are able to write off the first $10,000 of their retirement income. 

Three of the four surrounding states exempt all military pension income from state taxes, which has influenced whether service members who have retire from the military will stay in state or move across the border and make the commute to work in order to save more of their retirement income.  

“Employers know veterans are great workers and employees. They are reliable, committed to the community, and have an amazingly strong work ethic; therefore, keeping them and their skills in Maryland after their military retirement has the added benefit of augmenting Maryland’s workforce.” said Delegate Lisanti 

The proposed legislation would phase in a full tax exemption on all military pensions over the next four years.

Show your support for HB 371 by calling or emailing members of the House Ways & Means Committee.