You might have crossed a few ethical lines if you are a member of the House from New York and claim Maryland residency . . .
Rep. Eliot Engel (D. Bronx) has been elected to the House from the state of New York five times. During that ten-year span of public service, Mr. Engel and his wife, who have been lifelong residents of the Bronx, listed their primary residence on their tax returns as one located along the Potomac in Maryland. The effect of having the Potomac home as their primary residence was that the state of Maryland gave the couple $7,000 in tax credits (just over the past 4 years). The credits required: (1) at least six months residence in Maryland; (2) Maryland driver’s licenses; and (3) Maryland income tax returns. (2) and (3) were out — the Engels have licenses in New York and file with the state of New York. (1) we don’t know because Engel had no comment. The Barometer does. You might have crossed a few ethical lines if you are an elected representative in one state but claiming residential property credits in another! Does Turbo Tax have a screen for public figures that offers, “To disregard tax rules and maximize refund, click here”?
