Delegate Urges Homeowners to Register for Tax Credit

The Homestead Property Tax Credit was created to help homeowners deal with large assessment increases on their principal residence. The program caps yearly increases to 10% or less each year for Maryland property taxes, and to no more than a 4% annual increase in Baltimore County. Because of the program, homeowners pay no property taxes when market value increases make home values worth more than the limits imposed by the program—saving taxpayers millions of dollars annually.

A few months ago, I reached out to constituents to inform them of a very important deadline by which they would be required to confirm their eligibility for the Homestead Tax Credit program in order to continue receiving the benefit.

While I did all I could to help ensure that everyone had a chance to verify their eligibility, it was clear to me once the original deadline passed, residents needed more of an opportunity to ensure they secured the credit they are rightfully entitled to.  That is why I strongly supported legislation, which passed, to extend this deadline until Dec. 30, 2013.  This was an important victory, because it gives our homeowners another chance to verify their eligibility and to help share this important information with friends and family across our district and the state.

It is especially important that, if you have not verified your Homestead Credit, you do so promptly. For many, the failure to register your home as “Homestead Tax Credit” eligible could result in significant property tax increases and cost hundreds of dollars—the average credit in Baltimore County saves homeowners $363 annually.

In addition to checking your own credit status, please help share this important information with your coworkers, friends, and family.  With your partnership, we can use this additional time to make sure that everyone who is entitled to the credit continues to receive it.

If you are uncertain about whether or not your home has already been approved for this tax credit, you can visit the department's website, and click on “Real Property Data Search.”  From there, you should use the drop down box to choose “Baltimore County” and then click on “Street Address.”  This will open a dialogue box that will allow you to type in your address (street number and name only—do not use words like “lane, street, avenue”).  Doing this will pull up a review of state assessment data on your property, including information at the very bottom entitled “Homestead Application Information.”

This section will either say “Approved” or “No Application.”  If this section reads “No Application” and you are in an owner-occupied house and are not claiming the credit on another property, you should apply for the credit immediately. The application can be accessed electronically on the website. 

If you have additional questions, I encourage you to contact the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation. The department may also be reached by phone at 410-767-2165 and toll-free at 1-866-650-8783. 

As with any other issue, you may always contact my office with questions, as well.