Annapolis, MD (April 16, 2008) - Comptroller Peter Franchot today approved a filing extension for Marylanders who live in the Eastern Shore counties affected by an internet outage that occurred on the evening of April 15 and were unable to electronically file their Maryland income tax return. The extended deadline, only for those filing their Maryland income tax return electronically, is Thursday, April 17 at midnight.

"I empathize with the last minute filers affected by this technical difficulty," said Comptroller Franchot. "We encourage Marylanders to file electronically as it is more efficient and timely than filing a paper return. Therefore we want to make sure every taxpayer on the Eastern Shore who wants to file electronically has that opportunity and is not penalized by an outage that was beyond their control."

Maryland taxpayers residing in the following nine counties are eligible for this extension: Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester.

Free, state tax assistance is still available at all of the agency's 12 taxpayer service offices, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additionally, taxpayers can download state tax forms, find helpful information and check the status of their refund by visiting the Comptroller's Web site, www.marylandtaxes.com or by calling 1-800-MD-TAXES for free state tax help Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. through April 18.

"Again, I encourage everyone to utilize iFile, the state's free internet filing system," said Franchot. "It is safe, fast and convenient. Simply click on the iFile icon at www.marylandtaxes.com to start."

###

Contact: Caron Brace, (410) 260-7438 (office), (410) 212-9414 (cell)