A new legislative bill was filed this week in the Maryland General Assembly —HB 1554 / SB 1045—could impose a crippling financial burden on Maryland’s architecture firms and the entire design industry.
This bill seeks to expand Maryland’s sales tax to include business-to-business services, raising costs for accounting, IT support, legal services, payroll processing, human resources, and more—all essential services that architecture firms depend on to operate efficiently and competitively.
Why This Matters for Architects
📉 Increased Operating Costs – Architecture firms already face tight budgets. This tax would drive up costs for essential business services, forcing firms to cut expenses elsewhere, whether in hiring, technology, or sustainability investments.
🚧 A Competitive Disadvantage – Unlike Virginia and Delaware, which do not tax these business services, Maryland firms would be at a regional disadvantage, making it harder to compete for projects.
🏛️ A Direct Impact on Maryland’s Economy – This isn’t just another tax—it’s a threat to Maryland’s business climate. If enacted, it could stifle local job creation, limit firm growth, and reduce investment in architecture and design innovation.
📢 The Time to Act is NOW!
This bill is moving fast, with hearings scheduled on short notice. We must mobilize as a profession to push back and protect Maryland’s architecture community.
Hearings Dates and Times:
HB 1554 – Wednesday, March 12, 2025 – 1:00pm Committee: Ways and Means
SB 1045 – Wednesday, March 12, 2025 – 3:00pm Committee: Budget and Taxation
🚀 Take Action Today! 📢 Make Your Voice Heard!
Use the resources below to take action:
➡️ Contact your Legislators directly HERE
