Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott, Council Member Odette Ramos, former Council Member Mary Pat Clarke, and community advocates yesterday gathered to raise awareness among Baltimore City residents about the Maryland Homeowners Property Tax Credit and urge residents to apply.
“The Homeowners Property Tax Credit will be vital in helping keep money in the pockets of legacy homeowners and low-income families in Baltimore,” said Mayor Scott. “I am proud to partner with Councilwoman Ramos and Councilwoman Clarke and encourage Baltimoreans to inquire about this opportunity.”
Maryland residents are eligible for the Homeowners Property Tax Credit if they own their primary residence and their gross household income is less than $60,000. The program limits the amount of property taxes any homeowner must pay based upon household income. In addition, the tax credit is retroactive for homeowners 70 years old or older.
City officials are working to make sure that Baltimore’s most vulnerable homeowners apply for this credit. In addition, the City is targeting its outreach to legacy homeowners and residents whose homes are at risk of tax sale.
“As you all know, we have been continuing our work to reform tax sale and prevent people from entering tax sale. This is an amazing tool to ensure that homeowners can reduce their property tax debt,” said Council MemberRamos. “This campaign includes door to door campaigns, social media and earned media opportunities, notices in the water bills, and more. We are reaching far and wide, and we don’t have much time; October 1st is the deadline!”
According to a press release:
Homeowners can access the application and assistance in the following ways:
- Community Action Partnership (CAP) centers
- Call the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition’s Securing Older Adult Resources Program (SOAR) tax credit hotline at 443-961-6220
- Apply online at bit.ly/mdhomeowners
- Get copies of the application from your local Enoch Pratt Free Library.
The deadline to apply is October 1, 2021.
As previously reported on Conduit Street, in the 2021 legislative session, MACo supported successful legislation to establish a Homeowner Protection Program to offer homeowners facing tax sale potential cost avoidance, and provide help like payment assistance, foreclosure mediation, and other services. The bill aims to divert homeowners from the private tax lien process into an alternative program to minimize tax collection costs, assist with the payment of overdue taxes, and allow homeowners to remain in their homes.
