Maryland
Maryland joins IRS Direct File program, offering free tax filing for up to 700,000 taxpayers – Maryland Matters
Some Maryland taxpayers will be able to use a free electronic filing tool for their federal taxes rather than having to pay a tax preparer or buy tax-filing software next year, when Maryland will offer the IRS’s new Direct File service.
The service was tested in 12 states this year, where 140,803 people filed with Direct File, saving an estimated $5.6 million in tax preparation fees. Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D) estimated Wednesday that as many as 700,000 Maryland taxpayers could be eligible for the program when it debuts in the state next year.
“While we value our relationship with tax preparers and CPAs (certified public accountants), it’s unacceptable that Marylanders should have to pay any portion whatsoever of their refund or paycheck to fulfill a mandatory requirement like filing tax returns,” Lierman said at a news conference announcing the program.
The IRS and the U.S. Treasury still have to finalize eligibility rules for the program this fall, but Lierman said it will be a “game changer” for those families who do qualify, which could be as much as 20% of individual taxpayers in the state.
“Taxes are a part of the glue that keeps our state and our nation together, functioning, producing, protecting and thriving,” Lierman said. “Yet in America, we make it uniquely challenging to pay those taxes and file a return — until now.”
According to the Treasury, taxpayers spend “approximately 13 hours and $270 preparing their taxes each year.” Many Americans use tax filing services or software, such as TurboTax and H&R Block, to ensure that their taxes are filed correctly, despite most of the information being readily available state and federal tax collection agencies.
It’s unacceptable that Marylanders should have to pay any portion whatsoever of their refund or paycheck to fulfill a mandatory requirement like filing tax returns.
– Comptroller Brooke Lierman
Direct File launched this year in 12 states for people to file their 2023 federal returns — Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo said the program is aimed at helping middle-income tax filers with “relatively simple” filings.
“What I can tell you is our goal for us is to build a system that’s going to work for working class and middle class Americans. So you get a W-2, and you’re somebody who’s a teacher, you’re a fireman, you’re a doctor who’s earning most of your money from a W-2, we want to make sure we’re building a system that potentially works for you,” said Adeyemo, who was in Annapolis for the announcement.
“The thing we’re not going to do is build a system that works for big corporations or wealthy individuals. Next year we’re going to expand the system so that more Americans are able to participate in it,” Adeyemo said.
The Biden administration invited all 50 states and the District of Columbia to join the program next year, when people will be filing their 2024 taxes. The Treasury said that Maryland joins Oregon, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Connecticut, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Maine in taking up Direct File.
“I know to some, this announcement may seem inconsequential — and I know how exciting tax announcements are,” Gov. Wes Moore (D) joked at the announcement. “But the details matter. They matter to the families who are impacted by this work. They’re going to matter to the families, who … dread tax season because it feels complicated. Who dread tax season because it seems expensive, or oftentimes have to deal with the consequences of getting something wrong.”
The Direct File program came out of the Inflation Reduction Act signed in 2022, which also secured additional funding to help the IRS modernize and provide better services to Americans.
But Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who chairs a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, said Direct File program and other services under the Inflation Reduction Act could be “under threat.” While his subcommittee wants to fully fund the IRS and keep Direct File going, House leaders want to cut funding for both.
He also said that the industry is lobbying against the free tax filing system.
“There are people who didn’t want us to do this, including a lot of the middlemen” who currently profit from tax preparation, Van Hollen said. “They’re lobbying against this kind of thing.”
In addition to Van Hollen, Moore, Lierman and Adeyemo, Wednesday’s event drew a number of Maryland Democratic heavyweights: U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer John Sarbanes and State Treasurer Dereck Davis.
Hoyer put it simply: “Nobody likes taxes.”
“We don’t really get excited about paying our taxes. But we know that it is the price of our democracy,” Hoyer said. “We ought to make it as easy as possible for people to comply with a legal obligation that they have to support their country, their state and their communities.”
Maryland
Penn State a Heavy Favorite Over Maryland in Regular Season Finale
The oddsmakers are expecting Penn State to run away with a victory in its regular season finale against Maryland. The Nittany Lions are a 24.5-point favorite when the Terrapins come to Happy Valley on Saturday.
Penn State is coming off a gritty 26-25 victory at Minnesota in a back-and-forth thriller on Saturday night. The Nittany Lions put the game away with a 5:48 drive to run out the clock that featured three fourth down conversions, including a fake punt that resulted in a 32-yard run by true freshman Luke Reynolds.
Maryland fell to Iowa 29-13 in its home finale on Saturday. The Terps were unable to overcome a 13-0 halftime deceit and an offense that could only produce 227 yards on the day. Maryland enters the game on a four-game losing streak, and have lost six of its last seven. The 4-7 Terps have won only once in Big Ten play, beating USC 29-28 in a fourth quarter comeback.
Penn State beat Maryland 51-15 in 2023 in the teams last meeting. The Nittany Lions and Terps will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, with coverage provided by BTN. The game will serve as Senior Day for Penn State.
Maryland
Villanova vs Maryland Prediction, Bet Builder Tips & Odds
Maryland Look the Smart Pick on the Spread
Our best wager is that Maryland are going to cover a generous -6 on the spread. You can get 1.92 that there’s a bigger margin of victory against Villanova.
57-40 Win for Villanova in Pair’s Last Encounter
Villanova Wildcats claimed a victory in their previous game. A 93-49 home win occurred against Pennsylvania Quakers.
Maryland Terrapins won their last game, beating Canisius Golden Griffins at home. It was a 108-37 win.
Villanova beat Maryland in their last head-to-head matchup. It was a 57-40 scoreline.
Expert College Basketball Analysis
The college basketball forecasts are only made once we have established the latest team news. It’s also important to study the form and investigate the most relevant stats to get the full picture.
Key Villanova vs Maryland stats:
We’re excited to see Maryland at -6 on the spread in this college matchup. We think it’s a great number for the betting favorites to cover at odds of 1.92.
If you’re looking for a bigger potential return on your stake, there is always the option to move the line. Consider the betting odds and whether each line can be covered.
Maryland -6 Probability
The sportsbooks imply that our pick has a 52.1% prospect of winning. Taking all factors into consideration, our cappers think there’s a stronger chance of success and have a probability interval between 55-60%. That means we’re regarding it as a value wager.
Villanova vs Maryland Prediction
Maryland -6 @ 1.92
Gamble responsibly 18+. All odds are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change. To use the Bookmaker Live Streaming services you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Geo-restrictions apply.
Published 03:52, 24 November 2024
Correct Score Prediction
Rather than betting on the Terps to win, there’s the option to try your luck when it comes to the correct score lines. Take a chance on a 74-63 triumph in their favor.
Villanova vs Maryland Odds
The odds and lines are updated on a frequent basis. You might therefore find that they are different to the ones listed for the betting predictions and bet builder tips.
Latest Moneyline Odds Suggest Maryland Victory
Maryland have the shortest price to win this college game, with the sportsbooks giving them a 70% probability due to their 1.43 Moneyline betting odds. The market suggests that Villanova are least likely to win at 2.80.
6 is where the spread lies, with total points being 140 right now. There are many ways to bet on basketball including the Totals. Those that want to back Under 140 can find odds of 1.91 available.
The betting sites offer stacks of team props and game lines when it comes to most college basketball contests. Make sure you look through all the available options before deciding which bet to place.
Betting Lines & Odds
Moneyline
Point Spread
Total Points
Player Props & Micro Betting
There is regularly betting value to be found from wagering on the player props with the best online gambling sites. You can find lots of ways to back for or against a specific player lining up for one of the two teams.
Micro betting provides a rollercoaster ride for college basketball bettors. It can be great to enjoy the live lines, with the opportunity to bet on the Next Field Goal. Watch the live action before deciding which way to go.
Team Stats
Latest regular season and playoff games stats.
Villanova Stats
Maryland Stats
Moneyline
- 4 wins and 6 defeats in the last 10 games
- 2 wins and 8 defeats in the last 10 games on the road
Moneyline
- 5 wins and 5 defeats in the last 10 games
- 6 wins and 4 defeats in the last 10 home games
Point Spread
- +6 Betting Line: Have covered the spread in 6 of the last 10 games
- +6 Betting Line on the Road: Have covered the spread in 4 of the last 10 games on the road
Point Spread
- -6 Betting Line: Have covered the spread in 5 of the last 10 games
- -6 Betting Line at Home: Have covered the spread in 6 of the last 10 home games
Total Points
- Game Totals: An average of 140.20 pts in the previous 10 games
- Game Totals on the Road: An average of 136.30 pts in the previous 10 games on the road
- Over 140: Covered in 4 of the previous 10 games
- Over 140 on the Road: Covered in 3 of the previous 10 games on the road
- Team Totals: Have scored an average of 72.60 pts and allowed 67.60 pts in the last 10 games
- Team Totals on the Road: Have scored an average of 65.00 pts and allowed 71.30 pts in the last 10 games on the road
Total Points
- Game Totals: An average of 140.30 pts in the previous 10 games
- Game Totals at Home: An average of 141.50 pts in the previous 10 home games
- Over 140: Covered in 5 of the previous 10 games
- Over 140 at Home: Covered in 5 of the previous 10 home games
- Team Totals: Have scored an average of 76.00 pts and allowed 64.30 pts in the last 10 games
- Team Totals at Home: Have scored an average of 79.30 pts and allowed 62.20 pts in the last 10 home games
Maryland
Instant Analysis: Illinois Basketball Dominates Maryland Eastern Shore 87-40
Coming off its first loss of the season, No. 25 Illinois took the floor at its State Farm Center home in Champaign on Saturday with plenty of motivation against struggling Maryland Eastern Shore.
So even when the Illini showed up with something less than their sharpest weapons, they managed to hammer the Hawks with size, muscle and blunt-force effort in an 87-40 runaway win.
An excellent defensive performance helped stake Illinois (4-1) to an early lead against the Hawks (2-6), allowing the opportunity for more floor time for its non-starters, including freshman Morez Johnson Jr., who had career highs of 10 points and 13 rebounds in just 13 minutes. Freshman forward Will Riley led the Illini with 19 points off the bench – all in the second half – and junior guard Kylan Boswell continued his recent upswing with 13 points, four rebounds and another sinister defensive performance.
After falling to No. 8 Alabama on a middling shooting night, Illinois came out clanking in the first half against the Hawks, “hitting” an atrocious 4-for-21 3-pointers (19.0 percent) before the break. But the Illini’s suffocating defense turned that blemish into an inconsequential blip.
Illinois held Maryland Eastern Shore to 7-for-33 field-goal shooting (21.2 percent) in the first half – including 1-for-12 from 3-point range – and forced 10 turnovers. The Hawks seemed to not know what hit them – and, as Mike Tyson might have noted, certainly had no plan after getting punched in the face. The Illini seemingly cut off every avenue on their opponents, who finished the first half with no assists.
After halftime, Riley was ablaze, pulling up for feathery jumpers and slinking to and around the rim for all-angles buckets that came easily for an 18-year-old in just his fifth college game. The outsized Illini annihilated the Hawks on the boards, 59-38, and held them to 22.1 percent field-goal shooting for the game.
CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein Has High Praise for Illinois Basketball Freshmen
Top 5 Must-Watch Matchups for Illinois Basketball in 2024-25
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