<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" citation="COMAR 18.03.03.01" title_num="18" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="03" heading="Good Cause.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Definition of Good Cause.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>“Good cause” means:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A serious medical or health condition which causes an annual report to be filed late;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A penalty which is unjustly excessive;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A taxpayer's records or place of business is destroyed by casualty, causing an annual report to be filed late;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A taxpayer has filed timely annual reports for each of the 4 preceding taxable years, provided that the report is filed by December 31 of the calendar year in which it is due; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Any other extraordinary circumstance which a person of ordinary business prudence and intelligence would consider reasonable cause for an annual report to be filed late.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>“Good cause” does not mean failure:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>To receive an annual report form;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Of an agent or employee of a taxpayer to file a timely annual report; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>To be aware of the requirement to file an annual report.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The excusing conditions in this regulation shall have been experienced by the person who prepares the annual report, so that the report could not have been timely filed. Additionally, it shall be shown that no one other than the person experiencing the condition could have prepared the report.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The Department may abate or reduce a penalty imposed under Tax-Property Article, §14-704, Annotated Code of Maryland, for good cause shown.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>