When and How Do You Apply?

The Homeowners' Tax Credit is not automatically granted and each person

must apply and disclose his or her income. The deadline to apply is

October 1st of each year. However, it is to your advantage to submit the

application by April 15 so that any credit due you can be deducted

beforehand from the initial July tax bill.

Please be advised that applications submitted by mail will take longer to process than applications submitted online. Please be certain your computer has the free Adobe Reader, or other PDF reader software available to access the application. Once completed, applications should be mailed to:

State Department of Assessments & Taxation
Homeowners' Tax Credit Program
P.O. Box 49005
Baltimore, MD. 21297

Please do not email any tax credit applications or supporting documentation to the Department. They will not be accepted in accordance with State Data Security protocol. Instead, please apply online or mail your documentation to the address above.

Your Application Is Confidential
Persons filing for the Homeowners' Tax Credit Program are required to submit copies of their prior year's federal income tax returns and to provide the Department with permission to verify the amount of income reported with other State and Federal agencies. The sole purpose for which this information is sought is to determine your eligibility for a tax credit. All income-related information supplied by the homeowner on the application form is held with the strictest confidentiality. It is unlawful for any officer or employee of the State or any political subdivision to divulge any particulars set forth in the application or any tax return filed, except in accordance with judicial or legislative order. This information is available to officers of the State in their official capacity and to taxing officials of any state, territory, or the federal government, as provided by statute.

Prospective Home Buyers
Qualified home purchasers should apply in advance for the Homeowners' Tax Credit before acquiring title to the property. The purpose of this program is to help reduce the amount of monies needed at the time of settlement. You must apply at least 30 days before your expected settlement date to receive any credit due at the time of settlement. For more information, please email
sdat.homeowners@maryland.gov or call 410-767-4433 and request Form HTC-NP.

Homeowners' Property Tax Credit Program

The 2024 Homeowners' Tax Credit Application is available.

Sign up to receive important email updates about these tax credits.

Homeowners' Tax Credit applications can now be filed online!

What is the Homeowners' Property Tax Credit Program?

The State of Maryland has developed a program which allows credits against the homeowner's property tax bill if the property taxes exceed a fixed percentage of the person's gross income. In other words, it sets a limit on the amount of property taxes any homeowner must pay based upon his or her income.

How Is "Income" Defined?

For purposes of the tax credit program, it is emphasized that applicants must report total income, which means the combined gross income before any deductions are taken. Income information must be reported for the homeowner and spouse and all other occupants of the household unless they are dependents or they are paying rent or room and board. Income from all sources must be reported whether or not the monies received are included as income for Federal and State income tax purposes. Nontaxable retirement benefits such as Social Security and Railroad Retirement must be reported as income for the tax credit program. Generally, eligibility for the tax credit will be based upon all monies received in the applicant's household in a given year.

What Are The Other Requirements?

Before your eligibility according to income can be considered, you must meet four basic requirements

You must own or have a legal interest in the property.
The dwelling on which you are seeking the tax credit must be your principal residence where you live at least six months of the year, including July 1, unless you are a recent home purchaser or unless you are unable to do so because of your health or need of special care.
Your net worth, not including the value of the property on which you are seeking the credit or any qualified retirement savings or Individual Retirement Accounts, must be less than $200,000.
Your combined gross household income cannot exceed $60,000.

How Is The Credit Figured?

The tax credit is based upon the amount by which the property taxes exceed a percentage of your income according to the following formula: 0% of the first $8,000 of the combined household income; 4% of the next $4,000 of income; 6.5% of the next $4,000 of income; and 9% of all income above $16,000.

The chart below is printed in $1,000 increments to show you the specific tax limit for each income level.

2021 Household Income	Tax Limit
$1 - 8,000	$0
9,000	40
10,000	80
11,000	120
12,000	160
13,000	225
14,000	290
15,000	355
16,000	420
17,000	510
18,000	600
19,000	690
20,000	780
21,000	870
22,000	960
23,000	1050
24,000	1140
25,000	1230
26,000	1320
27,000	1410
28,000	1500
29,000	1590
30,000	1,680
and up to a maximum of $60,000	*

* For each additional $1,000 of income above $30,000, you add $90 to $1,680 to find the tax limit. Your combined gross household income cannot exceed $60,000.

Example:If your combined household income is $16,000, you see from the chart that your tax limit is $420. You would be entitled to receive a credit for any taxes above the $420. If your actual property tax bill was $990, you would receive a tax credit in the amount of $570 --- this being the difference between the actual tax bill and the tax limit.

What Other Limitations?

Only the taxes resulting from the first $300,000 of assessed valuation.
It does not cover any metropolitan or fixed charges for water and sewer services that may appear on the tax bill.
If an applicant owns a large tract of land, the credit will be limited to the lot or curtilage on which the dwelling stands and will not include the excess acreage.
If a portion of your dwelling is used for commercial or business purposes, the credit will be based only upon the taxes for that portion of the dwelling occupied by your own household.

How Does One Receive The Credit?

Homeowners who file and qualify by April 15 will receive the credit directly on their tax bill. Persons who file later up until the October1 deadline will receive any credit due in the form of a revised tax bill. Applicants filing after April 15 are advised not to delay payment of the property tax bill until receipt of the credit if they wish to receive the discount for early payment offered in some subdivisions. A refund check will be issued by the local government if the tax bill was paid before the tax credit was granted.

What Happens If One Is Not Eligible?

Whenever homeowners are found not qualified to receive a tax credit, they are informed in writing. The letter gives the reason for denial and what steps to take if further questions remain. The letter also explains how homeowners can appeal the determination of ineligibility to the local Property Tax Assessments Appeals Board.

Contact Information

If you have additional questions regarding the Homeowners' Tax Credit, please contact the Department's Homeowners' Tax Credit Program at sdat.homeowners@maryland.gov or 410-767-5900.