State Fiduciary Income Tax

Maryland Form 504: The Maryland Fiduciary Income Tax Return

Estates and trusts connected to Maryland file Form 504 with the Comptroller — on top of, not instead of, the federal Form 1041. Here is who must file, the deadlines, the rates, and the Maryland-specific rules that differ from federal.

E-File the Federal 1041Federal Form 1041 Guide

Quick Answer

Form 504 is Maryland’s fiduciary income tax return, filed with the Comptroller. Due: The 15th day of the 4th month after the year ends — April 15 for calendar-year filers. Tax: Maryland's graduated rates up to 5.75% plus applicable local rates — and, new for 2025, a 2% surcharge on certain net capital gains when federal AGI exceeds $350,000. It is filed in addition to the federal Form 1041 — prepare the federal return first, then the state return that builds on it.

Form 504 at a glance

ReturnForm 504 — Maryland Fiduciary Income Tax Return
Filed withComptroller of Maryland
Who must fileFiduciaries of Maryland resident estates and trusts, and nonresident estates and trusts with Maryland-source income, generally following the federal filing requirement.
Due dateThe 15th day of the 4th month after the year ends — April 15 for calendar-year filers.
ExtensionFile Form 504E by the original due date to request the extension; payment of the expected tax goes with it.
Tax rateMaryland's graduated rates up to 5.75% plus applicable local rates — and, new for 2025, a 2% surcharge on certain net capital gains when federal AGI exceeds $350,000.
E-filingForm 504 e-files through the Fed/State MeF program via approved software.

What makes Maryland different

  • Maryland changed the math in 2025: a new 2% tax on certain net capital gains applies when federal AGI exceeds $350,000 — fresh law worth reading in the current fiduciary booklet before a big gain year.
  • Maryland fiduciary tax stacks a local component on the state rates, so the effective rate depends on the applicable county — unusual among fiduciary regimes.

The federal return comes first

Form 504 does not replace the federal filing — an estate or trust that meets the federal thresholds ($600 of gross income, any taxable income for a trust, or a nonresident alien beneficiary) files the federal Form 1041 with the IRS and then the Maryland return with the Comptroller, which generally starts from the federal figures. The practical workflow: finish the federal 1041 and its Schedule K-1s, then carry the numbers into Form 504. Our federal Form 1041 guide covers the thresholds, deadlines, and elections, and the Schedule K-1 guide explains what beneficiaries do with their share.

Start with the federal Form 1041

Prepare and e-file the federal fiduciary return through the IRS MeF system with an electronic acknowledgment — the foundation the Maryland return builds on.

E-File the Federal 1041

Maryland fiduciary tax FAQs

Who must file Maryland Form 504?
Fiduciaries of Maryland resident estates and trusts, and nonresident estates and trusts with Maryland-source income, generally following the federal filing requirement.
When is Form 504 due?
The 15th day of the 4th month after the year ends — April 15 for calendar-year filers. Extension: File Form 504E by the original due date to request the extension; payment of the expected tax goes with it.
What is the Maryland fiduciary tax rate?
Maryland's graduated rates up to 5.75% plus applicable local rates — and, new for 2025, a 2% surcharge on certain net capital gains when federal AGI exceeds $350,000. Rates and thresholds change — verify against the current Form 504 instructions from Comptroller of Maryland before computing.
Do I still file the federal Form 1041 if I file Form 504?
Yes — they are separate obligations. The federal Form 1041 goes to the IRS under the federal $600 gross-income (or any-taxable-income) thresholds, and Form 504 goes to the Comptroller under Maryland's own rules. Most fiduciaries prepare the federal return first, since the state return typically starts from federal amounts.
What changed for Maryland fiduciary returns in 2025?
The Comptroller’s 2025 fiduciary instructions add a 2% tax on certain net capital gains for filers with federal AGI over $350,000, alongside adjusted rate schedules. Estates and trusts realizing large gains should model the surcharge before year end — and verify the details in the current Form 504 booklet, as the provision is new.

Other state fiduciary guides

California Form 541 · New York Form IT-205 · Pennsylvania Form PA-41 · Illinois Form IL-1041 · Ohio Form IT 1041 · New Jersey Form NJ-1041 · all states

Disclaimer: State filing thresholds, rates, and extension rules change — verify current requirements in the Form 504 instructions published by Comptroller of Maryland before filing. This page is general information, not tax advice. TaxFilingCenter is an IRS-authorized e-file provider for federal returns and does not provide legal or tax advice.