The Local Revenue Task Force met Monday to review potential options for modernizing local revenue structures. Members examined existing taxing authority, previous legislative proposals, and several approaches that could give counties and municipalities more flexibility. The Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures met Monday to work through the mechanics behind Maryland’s local revenue system. The Department of Legislative Services (DLS) reviewed State aid, the State budget, existing local taxing authority, recent legislation,…
The Appellate Court of Maryland has clarified which unpaid taxes and water bills must be paid when an owner seeks to redeem a property sold at tax sale, providing new guidance for local governments that administer the process. In an August 26 decision, the court held that property taxes accruing after a tax sale must be paid at redemption only if they are already in arrears. The court also held that unpaid water charges may…
The Maryland Department of Legislative Services (DLS) has released the 2026 edition of its Guide to Local Government Taxing Authority, a county-by-county reference to the revenue tools available to Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. The guide gives county leaders, budget and finance staff, and advocates a detailed look at the taxes, fees, credits, exemptions, and other revenue authorities available in each jurisdiction. What’s Inside DLS breaks down local taxing authority for every county and…
A Maryland Tax Court decision striking down Maryland’s digital advertising tax could create another significant challenge for funding the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. The tax has generated hundreds of millions of dollars for the education plan, which already faces growing costs and long-term funding pressures. On August 14, the Maryland Tax Court ruled that Maryland’s digital advertising tax violates federal law. The court ordered refunds of taxes paid, plus applicable interest, in separate challenges brought by…
Counties face growing costs for education, transportation, infrastructure, and other core services, but State law offers relatively few ways to generate additional local revenue. For most local governments, the property tax remains the only practical tool to address significant budget needs. That reality framed Friday's first meeting of the Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures. The Department of Legislative Services began with an overview of local government finance, followed by representatives from the…
Kevin Kinnally, Michael Sanderson, and Karrington Anderson separate the headlines from the hype, discussing Maryland's potential congressional redistricting special session, local health department funding challenges, and a new task force examining county and municipal revenue structures, all before closing with a lively NBA debate. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!
The Prince George's County Council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday establishing the National Harbor Extraordinary Development District, opening the door for the County to use tax increment financing (TIF) to help fund future public infrastructure and redevelopment projects within a portion of National Harbor. The newly designated district covers part of the existing National Harbor Development District in Oxon Hill. The resolution establishes a special fund that will receive certain property tax revenues generated within…
Frederick County is expanding property tax relief for older residents and qualifying uniformed service members after the County Council unanimously approved legislation increasing the local property tax credit and broadening eligibility. Bill 26-07 increases the county property tax credit from 20% to 30% while raising both the household income and home value limits for eligible homeowners. According to the County's fiscal analysis, the expanded credit is expected to reduce county property tax revenues by approximately…
This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson is joined by Steve Hobbs, Executive Director of the Missouri Association of Counties, for a conversation on the issues shaping county government across state lines. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!