On February 24, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 1096 – Property Tax Credits – Notice Through Property Tax Bill.
This bill requires counties and Baltimore City to include written notice with every property tax bill identifying all state and local property tax credits for which a taxpayer “may be eligible.”
Counties share the goal of improving awareness of available relief programs, but this bill creates an impractical mandate. Local governments do not collect the income, age, disability, veteran status, or asset information necessary to determine eligibility for most credits — many of which the State administers.
MACo stands ready to work with the sponsor and the Committee to identify a more feasible path forward that improves awareness without imposing an impractical mandate on county governments.
As drafted, the bill effectively requires counties to include sweeping,
generalized notices with every tax bill. Counties would need to redesign bill inserts, adjust formatting, and manage additional printing and mailing requirements. Counties would also face increased calls and inquiries from residents who receive notices suggesting potential eligibility but do not qualify, creating additional administrative workload.
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