Don't Miss the Deadline for Your Homestead Tax Credit Application

In 2007, the Maryland General Assembly required all homeowners to make a one-time application to be eligible to receive or continue receiving the Homestead Tax Credit on their property tax assessment. The credit used to be automatic, but the legislature wanted to make sure the property receiving the credit is used as a principal residence.

The Homestead Tax Credit limits the increase of your assessment on which you pay County, Municipal and State property taxes. Applications must be received by December 31, 2012 or your July 2013 tax bill will not be subject to the limits.

Hopefully the real estate market has turned the corner and we will start to see home appreciation and thus higher assessments. Make sure you put in this application to limit how much your tax can be raised in a year.

If you aren't sure if you have applied, you can click here to check the database, and search for your property tax record. Put in your county and address, and at the bottom of the page you will see what your status is.

We were shocked to see that less than 50 percent of neighbors on our street have applied. You can click here to get more information on our Web site, including a copy of the application form.

You can also apply online at Maryland's Homestead Tax Credit Division or call 866-650-8783. To apply online you need a special access code. Call the office to get the application for the code.