The Baltimore City Tax Sale Workgroup will hold its first meeting on Thursday, October 28th, at 2:00 p.m.

As previously reported on Conduit Street, the Tax Sale Workgroup will identify and recommend solutions to close gaps in the system and advise the City on making the process more equitable. In addition, the Workgroup will evaluate ways to offer residents more options to satisfy outstanding tax debts and work with state lawmakers to allow for greater local autonomy in administering the annual tax sale.

State law requires counties and Baltimore City to collect delinquent real property taxes and other unpaid charges, all of which are liens against real property. In addition, the law requires that tax sales occur no later than two years from the date the tax is in arrears.

MACo this year supported legislation 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.

According to a press release from Mayor Brandon Scott:

In an announcement last month, Mayor Scott established a Tax Sale Work Group to pursue long-term fixes to the tax sale process and announced plans to purchase the liens of 454 owner-occupied homes this fall, in line with the Mayor’s desire to protect Baltimore’s legacy residents. This purchase will satisfy the standing liens on these properties, taking them out of the tax sale process and allowing homeowners to start fresh with a clean slate.

The workgroup is co-chaired by Baltimore City Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Daniel Ramos and Executive Director of Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) Baltimore Daniel Ellis. Membership includes internal and external stakeholders key to the City’s tax sale process.

Learn more about the Baltimore City Tax Sale Workgroup, including information to access this week’s meeting, additional details, and future meeting dates.