It is unclear when the one-time utility credits will appear on bills, or how they will be paid. BGE spokeswoman Linda Foy said yesterday in an e-mail that the company is working out the details of a payment schedule, part of a $2 billion settlement with the utility's parent company, Constellation Energy Group.
The timing of Maryland income tax refunds might also be hard to predict. State tax payments are a priority right now, said Caron Brace, a spokeswoman for the state comptroller's office. It is going to process payments faster than refunds to make sure that the state revenue is coming in, she said.
There is another practical reason to tackle tax payments first. "You don't want the check to be sitting there for a month, so we don't get bounced checks," Brace said.
Still, if people have filed electronically with no errors and request direct deposit, their state refund could arrive within five days. Filers who submitted a paper return will see refunds deposited directly between May 15 and May 31, she said. Taxpayers who requested paper checks on their paper return should look for them within that time period, as well.
Federal tax refunds will be issued by direct deposit within 10 days of submission of an electronic return, Dupree said. Requests for paper-check refunds on tax forms sent electronically will arrive within three weeks, he said; paper returns can take six to eight weeks to process.
Electronic filers get their money faster because "it's just so much easier for us to process," Dupree said.
Help is available if you need it.
Taxpayers can call the IRS at 800-829-1040 until midnight today. People can also seek help at the IRS' Taxpayer Assistance Centers, such as 31 Hopkins Plaza in Baltimore, which will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Representatives from the state comptroller's office will be stationed there today, as well. Statewide, all agency locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Brace said. People can also call 800-MD- TAXES for free state tax help from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Friday.
The main post office on Fayette Street in Baltimore will be open until midnight, and other post offices around the state will have extended hours.
Last-minute filers can save on postage by dropping off completed tax returns at tables outside Baltimore's Fallon Federal Building from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today.
They will also distribute and collect extension forms there for people who cannot finish their returns on time.
