With Unanimous Senate Approval, Pandemic Stimulus Plan Goes to House of Delegates
Senators added $520 million to Hogan’s proposed RELIEF Act – with aid for education, business, health, housing, transportation and unemployment.
The Senate proposal offers direct stimulus payments as follows:
- If you qualified for Earned Income Credit (EIC) in the 2019 tax year, the following applies to you:
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- (i) $300 for an individual other than an individual described under items (ii) or (iii) of this item;
- (ii) $250 for an individual filing as married filing separately; or
- (iii) $500 for spouses filing a joint return or for a surviving spouse or head of household as defined in § 2 of the Internal Revenue Code.
- AND, if you qualified for EIC in the 2020 tax year, the following applies to you:
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- (i) $150 for an individual other than an individual described under items (ii) or (iii) of this item;
- (ii) $125 for an individual filing as married filing separately; or
- (iii) $250 for spouses filing a joint return or for a surviving spouse or head of household as defined in § 2 of the Internal Revenue Code.
It also repeals all state and local income taxes on unemployment benefits.
Small business support includes $125 million to fund the following:
- $12,000 in sales tax credits and an emergency grant and loan program for nearly 3,000 businesses, prioritizing those that have not received prior assistance
- $25,000 grants for 400 hotels and hospitality venues; additional grants for entertainment venues
- $10 million for the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority, providing $25,000 grants for disadvantaged businesses
- Job training, grants for rural, agricultural, “main street” and distressed communities
- Tourism marketing support
