Implementation of Premium Tax Payment and Filing Program (OPTins)

MIA BULLETIN 18-06 TO: TO ALL SURPLUS LINES BROKERS AND AGENCIES SUBJECT TO MARYLAND SURPLUS LINES PREMIUM TAX SUBJECT: IMPLEMENTATION OF PREMIUM TAX PAYMENT AND FILING PROGRAM DATE: FEBRUARY 23, 2018 This Bulletin is applicable to any surplus lines broker or agency that is required by the Insurance Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, to report and pay surplus lines premium taxes. The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) is implementing OPTins (Online Premium Tax for Insurance) for reporting and payment of Surplus Lines Premium Taxes. OPTins, a product of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), facilitates the filing of state-specific tax forms and payments. The MIA requests the use of OPTins to report and pay your semi-annual Surplus Lines Premium Taxes for 2018. OPTins will soon be available for the first semi-annual payment due by March 15, 2018. OPTins offers efficient and seamless electronic form and payment submission. Using OPTins to submit your tax filing is simple and requires no formal training. Easy-to-follow instructions are available at: www.optins.org. In order to use OPTins, you must register for a new account. It is important to register early because it takes 7-10 business days to set up a new account. If you already use OPTins in another state, you do not have to re-register. To add Maryland to your current OPTins registration, you will need to enter your Maryland License Number within OPTins. If you have questions regarding how to register for the first time for OPTins or how to add your license number to your current registration, please contact the OPTins Marketing Team at optinsmktg@naic.org or call 816-783-8787. AL REDMER, JR. Commissioner NANCY GRODIN Deputy Commissioner VINCENT P. O’GRADY Associate Commissioner Examination and Audits LARRY HOGAN Governor BOYD K. RUTHERFORD Lt. Governor 200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2700, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 Direct Dial: 410-468-2134 Fax: 410-468-2112 Email:victoria.claros@maryland.gov 1-800-492-6116 TTY: 1-800-735-2258 www.insurance.maryland.gov Once registered and set up, you will be able to log in, upload your filing forms and submit your payment online. There will be no need for paper checks – the process is electronic. Once submitted through OPTins, tax forms and payment are received by the MIA immediately. Questions or comments relating to this bulletin should be directed to: Victoria Claros Director of Company Licensing Examination and Audit Unit Maryland Insurance Administration victoria.claros@maryland.gov 410-468-2134 AL REDMER, JR. Commissioner ____ By: Vincent P. O’Grady Associate Commissioner, Examination & Audits signature on original