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Maryland · How-To Guide

How do I pay my property taxes?

County Finance Office / County Tax Collection Office / Baltimore City Tax Collector (county or Baltimore City level)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Locate your tax bill: Maryland property tax bills are mailed by the county (or Baltimore City) in JULY each year
  2. Review your bill for the correct amount, account number, and installment due dates
  3. Choose your payment method: in person at the county finance/tax collector's office, by mail, or online through your county's payment portal
  4. Pay by the installment due dates (typical statewide schedule):
  5. FIRST INSTALLMENT: September 30 (delinquent after September 30)
  6. SECOND INSTALLMENT: December 31 (delinquent after December 31)
  7. Note: Baltimore City and some counties may have different due dates - verify with your jurisdiction
  8. Retain receipt as proof of payment
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Property tax bill or account number
  • Payment (cash, check, money order, or card - varies by county; online portals available for most)
Online Option
Most Maryland counties and Baltimore City offer online payment; search "[County Name] Maryland property tax payment online"
Where to Go
County Finance Office or Tax Collector; NOT SDAT (SDAT handles assessments only)
County-specific variations apply

All 23 Maryland counties plus Baltimore City administer their own property tax collection. Most follow the September 30 / December 31 schedule, but some jurisdictions differ. Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, and Howard County have robust online payment portals. Verify current due dates and payment options with your specific county.

Maryland Notes

Important state-specific details

  • CRITICAL DISTINCTION: SDAT (dat.maryland.gov) sets assessments - your COUNTY or BALTIMORE CITY collects taxes. SDAT does NOT collect your tax payment.
  • Maryland tax year: July 1 - June 30; bills issued in July for the upcoming tax year.
  • Maryland TRIENNIAL REASSESSMENT CYCLE: SDAT reassesses one-third of all properties each year (every 3 years for each property); phased-in increases spread over 3 years (up to 10% per year cap on homestead property).
  • HOMESTEAD TAX CREDIT: Maryland caps assessment increases for owner-occupied primary residences; state cap is 10% annual increase; many counties and municipalities have adopted lower caps; apply through SDAT at dat.maryland.gov - MUST APPLY TO RECEIVE the cap; first-time homeowners must file by April 1 of the first year of ownership
  • KEY EXEMPTIONS (apply through SDAT or local office):
  • Homeowners' Property Tax Credit: income-based credit reducing tax for homeowners who pay more than a set percentage of income in property taxes; apply by September 1 each year through SDAT
  • Renters' Tax Credit: for qualifying low-income renters; apply through SDAT
  • Senior/Disabled Tax Credit: additional income-based relief; contact SDAT
  • Maryland has a state property tax as well as county/city property taxes - rate varies; state rate approximately $0.112 per $100 of assessed value (verify current rate)
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Maryland SDAT (assessments) - dat.maryland.gov | (410) 767-1184; County Finance Office (tax payment - varies by county)