Nothing is ever easy when you have to deal with your state and local governments.
The Homestead Tax Credit is no exception, but is worth the hassle and frustration. This credit was issued to help homeowners deal with large assessment increases on their principal residence. You only need to submit your application once.
The biggest condition on getting the credit is this:
Dwelling must be the owner’s principal residence and the owner must have lived in it for at least six months of the year, including July 1 of the year for which the credit is applicable, unless the owner was temporarily unable to do so by reason of illness or need of special care. An owner can receive a credit only on one property—the principal residence.
What does this mean?
It’s now 2018. If you purchased your home July 2, 2017 OR AFTER, your credit will be able to go into effect July 1, 2018. I tell my Maryland home buyers to apply when you purchase but also check again at the begin of the next year and to sure your application went through.
2 ways to apply:
You can download a PDF here, complete and mail it in.
You can also apply online (recommended)
What you need to apply:
1. Find your Identification/Real Property Account Number on the sdat search
2. Find your county code below:
County Code (2 digits):Allegany – 01
Anne Arundel – 02
Baltimore City – 03
Baltimore Co. – 04
Calvert – 05
Caroline – 06
Carroll – 07
Cecil – 08
Charles – 09
Dorchester – 10
Frederick – 11
Garrett – 12Harford – 13
Howard – 14
Kent – 15
Montgomery – 16
Prince George’s – 17
Queen Anne’s – 18
Somerset – 20
St. Mary’s – 19
Talbot – 21
Washington – 22
Wicomico – 23
Worcester – 24
If you are mailing in your application this is all you need.
If you are applying online, you’ll need a “Access Number”. You can’t get this online. You can to call 410-767-2165. Tell them you are applying online and need your Access Number.
Once you have this number, go thru the prompts online and submit.
*****Tricks to the Real Property Account Numbers:
The number is based on County Code _ _, Assessment District _ _, Account Number _ _ _ _ _ _
BUT if you are in Anne Arundel County the code is:
County Code _ _, District _ _, Subdivision then Account Number _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
BUT if you are in Baltimore City the code is:
County Code _ _, Ward _ _, Section _ _, Block _ _ _ _, Lot _ _ _
Like most applications, the process looks more complex than it really is, reach out to me if you need some help!
—Suzie Coronel
Realtor
