Stark Appears Ineligible for Tax Break

Democratic Rep. Pete Stark of California, a senior member of the House’s tax-writing committee, appears ineligible for a tax break he has received over the last two years by listing a Maryland house as his primary residence.

Records show Stark saved $3,853 in state and county taxes in 2007 and 2008 through a tax break reserved for those whose primary residence is in Maryland. The 77-year-old congressman has lived in the Anne Arundel County waterfront home for decades, but he appears to have received the real estate tax break in just the past couple of years.

The break kicks in when a house’s value increases by more than 10 percent. The credit would be worth about $3,800 this year if he were to receive it.

Read more: (Kevin Freking, “Calif. Lawmaker Appears Ineligible for Tax Break,” Associated Press, 3/20/09)