Who qualifies for the Homestead Tax Credit in Maryland?

You own and live in one principal residence. No age or income test. A married couple can have only one principal residence. Owners away for illness or special care can still qualify. A credit that removes the tax on assessment growth above 10% for the state tax, and above the local cap for county and city tax. It does not change the market value on your notice. Deadline: May 1 is the last day to file for the credit to appear on that year's tax bill.

Who qualifies for the Disabled veteran exemption in Maryland?

A veteran with a 100% service-connected, permanent and total VA rating, not caused by the veteran's misconduct, who owns and lives in the home. A rating under 100% can qualify if VA finds the veteran permanently unemployable. Surviving spouses can qualify. Your home, the lot and buildings needed for living there, such as a garage, are exempt from tax. County fees are not included.

Who qualifies for the Homeowners' Property Tax Credit in Maryland?

You own the home and live in it at least six months of the year, including July 1. Combined household income is $60,000 or less, and net worth is under $200,000 (not counting the home and qualified retirement accounts). No age test. Income includes Social Security. A credit for tax above 0% of the first $8,000 of income, 4% of the next $4,000, 6.5% of the next $4,000, and 9% of income above $16,000. Only the tax on the first $300,000 of assessed value counts. Deadline: April 15 for the credit to appear on the July bill. Final deadline is October 1.

Who qualifies for the Montgomery County supplemental homeowners' credit in Maryland?

Montgomery County homeowners with combined income up to $76,620 and net worth up to $255,400 for the July 1, 2026 bill. SDAT runs it on the same application. A county credit on assessed value up to $383,100. Nothing is counted on the first $25,540 of income. Then the rates are 2% of the next $7,660, 5% of the next $10,220, 6.5% of the next $10,220 and 8% of the next $53,630. Deadline: Same as the state credit: April 15 and October 1.

Rules by state / Maryland

Maryland property tax, line by line.

Your county (or Baltimore City) sends one bill that includes the state property tax, the county tax and any local charges. The state assessment office (SDAT) sets your value every 3 years, and increases are phased in over 3 years.

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At a glance

Who sends the bill: Your county or Baltimore City. The state property tax is on the same bill. Montgomery County is the example here.
When it comes: Montgomery County mails annual and semiannual bills in July. They are usually online by July 1.
When it's due: Montgomery County: September 30 for the annual bill or the first installment. December 31 for the second installment. The payment must be received by then. A postmark is not enough.
If you pay late: Montgomery County: a bill is late on October 1 and January 1. Interest and penalty add up to 1-2/3% a month on the unpaid balance (20% a year: 8% interest and 12% penalty). Owner-occupied homes must pay in two installments unless you pay both halves by September 30. If a lender pays your bill and you want an annual payment, tell the lender by May 1.
Value is set as of: January 1. A January 1, 2026 reassessment is phased into the tax year that begins July 1, 2026.
Limits on increases: The Homestead Tax Credit limits taxable growth to 10% a year for the state tax, and to a local cap for county and city tax. Caps for the July 1, 2026 tax year include: Anne Arundel 2%, Baltimore City 4%, Baltimore County 4%, Howard 5%, Montgomery 10%, Prince George's 3%, Talbot 0%, Worcester 0%. Ask SDAT for other counties. Municipal caps can differ.

Bill dates source · Assessment source

What may come off

4 programs homeowners can claim

None of these are applied for you automatically. Each one is free to apply for. If you upload your bill, we check which ones are already on it and which may fit you.

Homestead Tax Credit

Who: You own and live in one principal residence. No age or income test. A married couple can have only one principal residence. Owners away for illness or special care can still qualify.
What you get: A credit that removes the tax on assessment growth above 10% for the state tax, and above the local cap for county and city tax. It does not change the market value on your notice.
How to apply: Apply once at onestop.md.gov, or mail it to the SDAT Homestead Tax Credit Division, 700 E. Pratt Street, Suite 2700, Baltimore, MD 21202. Form: Homestead Tax Credit application.
Deadline: May 1 is the last day to file for the credit to appear on that year's tax bill.
If you're late: If you miss May 1, the credit starts on a later bill. Heirs living in the home can keep the credit for up to three taxable years during probate by filing SDAT's heir affidavit.
After that: One time while the home stays your principal residence.

Homestead Tax Credit application: the form

Disabled veteran exemption

Who: A veteran with a 100% service-connected, permanent and total VA rating, not caused by the veteran's misconduct, who owns and lives in the home. A rating under 100% can qualify if VA finds the veteran permanently unemployable. Surviving spouses can qualify.
What you get: Your home, the lot and buildings needed for living there, such as a garage, are exempt from tax. County fees are not included.
How to apply: Apply at your local SDAT office with the VA certification or final rating decision (not the summary-of-benefits letter), your discharge papers and proof of Maryland residence.
After that: It continues while the rating and your occupancy continue. If you move, you must apply again.

The official page

Homeowners' Property Tax Credit

Who: You own the home and live in it at least six months of the year, including July 1. Combined household income is $60,000 or less, and net worth is under $200,000 (not counting the home and qualified retirement accounts). No age test. Income includes Social Security.
What you get: A credit for tax above 0% of the first $8,000 of income, 4% of the next $4,000, 6.5% of the next $4,000, and 9% of income above $16,000. Only the tax on the first $300,000 of assessed value counts.
How to apply: Fill out the 2026 Homeowners' Tax Credit Application online, or on paper to SDAT, P.O. Box 49005, Baltimore, MD 21297. The same application also requests county supplements.
Deadline: April 15 for the credit to appear on the July bill. Final deadline is October 1.

2026 Homeowners' Tax Credit Application: the form

Montgomery County supplemental homeowners' credit

Who: Montgomery County homeowners with combined income up to $76,620 and net worth up to $255,400 for the July 1, 2026 bill. SDAT runs it on the same application.
What you get: A county credit on assessed value up to $383,100. Nothing is counted on the first $25,540 of income. Then the rates are 2% of the next $7,660, 5% of the next $10,220, 6.5% of the next $10,220 and 8% of the next $53,630.
How to apply: Use the SDAT Homeowners' Tax Credit application. There is no separate county form.
Deadline: Same as the state credit: April 15 and October 1.

SDAT Homeowners' Tax Credit application: the form

Think your value is too high?

Asking for a lower assessed value

Free review: Yes. Ask for a free hearing with the SDAT supervisor, in writing, by telephone or in person.
Formal appeal: The Property Tax Assessment Appeal Board (PTAAB), then the Maryland Tax Court.
Deadline: Supervisor appeal: within 45 days of the notice date. If you bought after January 1 and before the next tax year, you have 60 days from the transfer. PTAAB: within 30 days of the supervisor's final notice. Tax Court: within 30 days of the PTAAB order.
Fee: No fee at the supervisor level or at PTAAB.
Good to know: Keep paying your bill while your appeal is reviewed.

A formal appeal reopens your whole value: the board can raise it as well as lower it. Bring recent sales of similar homes.

Source · We never charge for help asking for a lower value.

What can't come off

Charges you can't remove

Tax on assessment growth within the state 10% cap and the local cap.
Water, sewer, solid-waste and benefit charges.
Homeowners' credit on assessed value above $300,000.
Homeowners' credit if income is over $60,000 or net worth is $200,000 or more.
A second homestead for a married couple.

Montgomery County bills can include a solid-waste charge, a water-quality protection charge and urban-district fees beside the state and county tax. The Homeowners' Tax Credit does not cover metropolitan or fixed water and sewer charges, excess acreage, or the business part of a mixed-use home. Front-foot benefit charges are not part of the credit.

Watch out. A false homestead application is a misdemeanor, with a fine up to $5,000, up to 18 months in jail, or both.

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Rules checked October 28, 2026 against official Maryland sources. Rules change: check the deadline with your county before you rely on it. Not legal or tax advice.