Terms Used In Maryland Code, TAX - GENERAL 13-522

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Person: includes an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, personal representative, fiduciary, representative of any kind, corporation, partnership, business trust, statutory trust, limited liability company, firm, association, or other nongovernmental entity. See
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
(a) If, without reasonable cause, a person fails to obey a subpoena, refuses to be sworn, or refuses to testify, the Tax Court may and, on request of a party, shall apply to a circuit court to issue an order, returnable within 5 days, that directs the person to show cause for the refusal to be sworn or to testify or the failure to obey the subpoena.

(b) (1) After the expiration of the time period in subsection (a) of this section, the circuit court shall conduct a hearing to determine the existence of reasonable cause.

(2) If the circuit court determines that there is no reasonable cause for the failure to comply, the circuit court shall order compliance with the directive of the Tax Court.

(c) A person who fails to comply with the order of a circuit court may be held in contempt of court, and the circuit court shall impose sanctions appropriate for contempt.

(d) A person may appeal a finding of contempt under this section.