Maryland Tax Court: Staples Owes $14M In Back Taxes
BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Maryland Tax Court has ruled that office-supply retailer Staples owes the state more than $14 million in back taxes.
The Daily Record in Baltimore reports that the court found Staples underpaid its taxes between 1999 and 2004. According to the court, Staples altered its corporate structure in part to improperly avoid paying its share of state taxes.
Staples, based in Framingham, Massachusetts, argued unsuccessfully that the ruling failed to account for more than $150 million in salaries and $260 million in property on which it paid Maryland taxes over the five-year period.
The court's May 28 ruling declined to impose penalties or interest because it found Staples acted in good faith.
Staples operates more than 40 stores in Maryland. It can appeal the ruling if it chooses.
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