Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit Claims Top $1 Billion
The 2026 tax filing season saw a record surge in usage for Maryland residents following a state-led outreach initiative.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Taxes
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During the 2026 filing season, Marylanders claimed more than $1 billion in Earned Income Tax Credit benefits. The state saw an 8% increase in total credit claims compared to the prior year.
Why it matters
The surge in claims followed the EarnedIt 2026 campaign, which utilized extensive outreach to reach 86% of eligible residents. This initiative was funded by the General Assembly through 2024 legislation.
Eligible Marylanders received an average refund of $935 alongside an average $1,333 reduction in tax liability. In total, 443,156 residents successfully claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit.
The players
Office of the Comptroller
This state agency is responsible for overseeing tax administration and public financial reporting in Maryland.
General Assembly
The legislative body of Maryland is responsible for enacting state laws and managing the biennial budget.
Urban Institute
This nonprofit research organization provides data analysis and policy research to improve public decision-making.
New America
This nonpartisan think tank focuses on public policy and technology research to address critical social and economic challenges.
The details
The EarnedIt 2026 campaign reached 10 million outreach touchpoints through social media, text messages, and direct mailings. The Office of the Comptroller partnered with 13 government agencies and research groups to refine messaging for the initiative.
Timeline
2024: The General Assembly passed legislation to fund the campaign.
2026 filing season: Marylanders claimed EITC benefits.
October 21, 2026: The Office of the Comptroller released the report.
Market Dynamics
This success follows the implementation of 2024 House Bill 845, which authorized the EarnedIt 2026 campaign as a formal state fiscal policy. The initiative aligns with a growing trend of state-level efforts to close the gap between eligible populations and actual tax credit participation.
Qualified taxpayers gained significant financial relief, with some families receiving up to $4,000 in additional benefits. These credits directly reduce the burden of state tax liability for low-to-moderate-income Marylanders.
The takeaway
The campaign demonstrates that proactive outreach is essential for ensuring that eligible taxpayers receive the financial relief they are entitled to. Residents should continue to monitor local government disclosures for future tax filing updates.
What happens next
The Office of the Comptroller has committed to continuing the EarnedIt campaign in future years to maintain participation rates.
Further reading
For more information on state policies, visit the Maryland Taxes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SOUTHERN MARYLAND'S COUNTRY STATION, COUNTRY 102.9 WKIK.
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