Maryland · Property tax exemptions · Updated Oct 2026
Maryland property tax exemptions
Homestead, senior, veteran, disability and surviving-spouse breaks in Maryland: what each one is worth, who qualifies, how to apply and the deadline, in plain English.
See the ruleshomestead exemption
Yessenior break
Full exemption (100% rating)disabled veterans
See belowhomestead deadline
0.97%median tax rate
Exemptions by group
Every break for one group on one page, with step-by-step instructions and the tools set for that group.
Surviving Spouse of a 100% Disabled Veteran or Military Casualty Exemption, Blind Persons Exemption
Where to apply in Maryland
The State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) runs the Homestead Tax Credit and the Homeowners' Tax Credit (you apply to SDAT online or by mail) and decides the disabled-veteran and blind exemptions (you send those applications to SDAT's local assessment office in your county). Extra local credits are run by each county or Baltimore City finance office.
Some amounts depend on where you live. In Maryland, some of these breaks or their amounts are set or adjusted by your county, city or town, as each exemption below explains. Ask your local assessor for the figure that applies to your home.
Property tax exemptions in Maryland
Homestead
Homestead Property Tax Credit
Limits how much the taxable assessment of your main home can rise each year: 10% for the State tax, and 10% or less for county and city taxes (each county sets its own cap). For 2026-2027 the county cap is 10% in Montgomery County, 4% in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, and 2% in Anne Arundel County. You pay no tax on the part of an increase above the cap.
Who qualifies
Owners of the one property they actually use as their principal residence. No age or income limit.
How to apply
Check SDAT's Real Property Search to see if an application is on file. If it says 'No Application', apply online at sdathtc.dat.maryland.gov (fastest) or mail/fax the paper Homestead Tax Credit Eligibility Application. You need your Social Security number. New buyers are mailed an application after the deed is recorded.
Caps your property tax based on household income. Your tax limit is 0% of the first $8,000 of income, 4% of the next $4,000, 6.5% of the next $4,000, and 9% of income above $16,000; you get a credit for tax above that limit. Example: $16,000 income means a $420 limit, so a $990 bill gets a $570 credit. Only tax on the first $300,000 of assessed value counts; water and sewer charges do not.
Who qualifies
Homeowners of any age who live in the home as their principal residence at least six months a year, including July 1. Net worth (not counting the home and retirement accounts) under $200,000. Heirs without record title can qualify for up to 3 years.
Income limit
Combined gross household income of $60,000 or less (all income, including nontaxable Social Security, for owner, spouse and other adult occupants who are not dependents or paying rent). The 2026 application uses 2025 income.
How to apply
Apply online through Maryland OneStop / SDAT, or mail the 2026 Homeowners' Tax Credit Application to SDAT, Homeowners' Tax Credit Program, P.O. Box 49005, Baltimore, MD 21297. Attach copies of your prior-year federal income tax returns. Do not email applications.
Your home (principal residence, lot and structures like a garage) is fully exempt from property tax.
Who qualifies
A Maryland resident veteran who owns the home and whom the VA rates 100% service-connected, permanent and total (or permanently unemployable at a lower rating, per an Attorney General opinion). Also disabled active-duty service members with a lifelong service-connected physical disability (they must recertify active-duty status every year).
How to apply
Send the 100 Percent Disabled Veteran Exemption Application to SDAT's local assessment office for your county. Include the VA certification on the form or your VA rating decision (it must say 100% service-connected permanent and total, with the decision date and effective date; the VA Summary of Benefits letter is not accepted), your DD-214, and a Maryland driver's license or last year's Maryland tax return.
No fixed deadline. If you apply within 3 years of the calendar year you first became eligible (the VA rating decision date), you can get refunds back to the disability's effective date, but not before tax year 2018-2019.
Renewal
One-time for veterans. Disabled active-duty service members must certify active-duty status each year.
Surviving Spouse of a 100% Disabled Veteran or Military Casualty Exemption
The home is fully exempt. An unmarried surviving spouse who moves can get the same dollar amount of exemption on the new home.
Who qualifies
The surviving spouse of a veteran rated 100% service-connected permanent and total (before or after death) who owns and lives in the home; or the surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty on active service. Remarriage ends it.
How to apply
Send the Surviving Spouse of a 100 Percent Disabled Veteran Exemption application (or the Surviving Spouse Military Casualty application) to SDAT's local assessment office, with the death certificate and VA documents.
$40,000 off the assessed value of your home (prorated in the first year).
Who qualifies
An owner who lives in the home and has a permanent impairment of both eyes: 20/200 or less in the better eye with glasses, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less. A surviving spouse keeps it if not remarried (separate 'Surviving Spouse of Blind Persons' application).
How to apply
Send the Blind Persons Exemption Application, with a physician's certification on the form, to SDAT's local assessment office for your county. A surviving spouse uses the 'Surviving Spouse of Blind Persons' application on SDAT's exemptions page.
Counties and Baltimore City may add their own credits. Example, Montgomery County: a Senior Property Tax Credit for people 65+ who qualify for the State Homeowners' Tax Credit or the county supplement; a 20% county tax credit for 7 consecutive years for people 65+ who have owned and lived in the home 40+ consecutive years (assessment $700,000 or less) or are retired military (assessment $550,000 or less); and a disabled-veteran credit of 25% (50%-74% rating) or 50% (75%+ rating) of county tax.
Who qualifies
Depends on the county. See your county finance office.
Income limit
Depends on the county.
How to apply
Montgomery County: the senior credit is claimed on the State Homeowners' Tax Credit application; the 65+/retired military and disabled veteran credits are separate applications to the County Department of Finance.
Deadline
Montgomery County: April 1 for the 65+/retired military credit and the disabled veteran credit (April 1, 2026).
Renewal
Depends on the credit.
Law
Montgomery County Bills 42-16, 13-17, 21-19, 6-24; local credits authorized under Md. Code, Tax-Property Title 9
No general portability. The unmarried surviving spouse of a 100% disabled veteran or military casualty can carry the same exemption amount to a later home (Tax-Property § 7-208).
Is there a cap on value increases?
Yes. The Homestead Tax Credit caps yearly increases in a principal residence's taxable assessment at 10% for State tax and at 10% or less for county and city tax (Tax-Property § 9-105). 2026-2027 county caps include Montgomery 10%, Baltimore City 4%, Baltimore County 4%, Anne Arundel 2% (SDAT table).
Good to know in Maryland
Many homeowners lose the Homestead Credit because SDAT has no application on file; check your property on SDAT's Real Property Search (SDAT).
Homeowners' Tax Credit applicants should file by April 15 to get the credit on the July bill, even though the deadline is October 1 (SDAT).
Home buyers can apply for the Homeowners' Tax Credit at least 30 days before settlement to get the credit at closing (SDAT, Form HTC-NP).
Savings estimate for Maryland
Roughly what an exemption could save you a year: the value it takes off, times your tax rate.
Eligibility finder for Maryland
Answer a few questions to see which property tax breaks may fit you. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
Document checklist for Maryland
Pick the breaks you plan to apply for. You get a checklist of forms, documents, steps and deadlines to print or keep on your phone.
Questions about property tax exemptions in Maryland
Is there a homestead exemption in Maryland?
Yes: the Homestead Property Tax Credit. Limits how much the taxable assessment of your main home can rise each year: 10% for the State tax, and 10% or less for county and city taxes (each county sets its own cap). For 2026-2027 the county cap is 10% in Montgomery County, 4% in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, and 2% in Anne Arundel County. You pay no tax on the part of an increase above the cap. Who qualifies: Owners of the one property they actually use as their principal residence. No age or income limit.
When is the deadline to apply for the homestead exemption in Maryland?
No fixed yearly deadline is stated by SDAT; apply as soon as you buy or move in so the credit is not lost.
Do I have to reapply for the homestead exemption every year in Maryland?
One-time application. Tell SDAT if the home stops being your principal residence.
Are there property tax breaks for seniors in Maryland?
Local senior and veteran credits (county option): Counties and Baltimore City may add their own credits. Example, Montgomery County: a Senior Property Tax Credit for people 65+ who qualify for the State Homeowners' Tax Credit or the county supplement; a 20% county tax credit for 7 consecutive years for people 65+ who have owned and lived in the home 40+ consecutive years (assessment $700,000 or less) or are retired military (assessment $550,000 or less); and a disabled-veteran credit of 25% (50%-74% rating) or 50% (75%+ rating) of county tax.
Do disabled veterans get a property tax exemption in Maryland?
Disabled Veteran Exemption (100% service-connected): Your home (principal residence, lot and structures like a garage) is fully exempt from property tax.
Can I move my exemption to a new home in Maryland?
No general portability. The unmarried surviving spouse of a 100% disabled veteran or military casualty can carry the same exemption amount to a later home (Tax-Property § 7-208).
Is there a limit on how fast my home's taxable value can rise in Maryland?
Yes. The Homestead Tax Credit caps yearly increases in a principal residence's taxable assessment at 10% for State tax and at 10% or less for county and city tax (Tax-Property § 9-105). 2026-2027 county caps include Montgomery 10%, Baltimore City 4%, Baltimore County 4%, Anne Arundel 2% (SDAT table).
Where do I apply for property tax exemptions in Maryland?
The State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) runs the Homestead Tax Credit and the Homeowners' Tax Credit (you apply to SDAT online or by mail) and decides the disabled-veteran and blind exemptions (you send those applications to SDAT's local assessment office in your county). Extra local credits are run by each county or Baltimore City finance office.
Think your home’s assessed value is too high? An exemption and an appeal are separate: you can do both.
Median effective tax rate: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2020–2024 5-year estimates, tables B25103 (median real estate taxes paid, owner-occupied homes) and B25077 (median value, owner-occupied homes). The rate is the median tax paid divided by the median home value.