Maryland · Anne Arundel County · Local exemptions · Updated Oct 2026
Anne Arundel County, MD property tax exemptions (2026)
The property tax breaks that are set or run locally in Anne Arundel County, on top of Maryland’s statewide rules: what each is worth here, who qualifies, where to apply and the deadline.
What is different in Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel has one of the tightest Homestead caps in Maryland: county tax on a principal residence can rise only 2% a year (Annapolis uses 10% for city tax). The county also gives its own credits for retired military veterans 65+, partially disabled veterans, public safety officers, and a tax deferral for seniors and disabled homeowners, all applied for at the county Office of Finance, mostly by April 1.
Apply at
Anne Arundel County Office of Finance – Tax Credits
Anne Arundel County tax: the taxable assessment on your home can rise at most 2% a year; State tax: 10% a year. You pay no tax on the part of an increase above the cap. Towns with a different cap for town tax: Annapolis 10% (see the table).
Set by
state program, local amount
Tax year
2026-27
Who qualifies
Owner-occupants of their principal residence; no age or income limit.
How to apply
One-time application to SDAT (online at Maryland OneStop / sdathtc.dat.maryland.gov, or the paper form). Check SDAT Real Property Search first: if it shows 'No Application', apply.
15% of the county property tax on up to $500,000 of assessed value of the home.
Set by
county
Tax year
2027-28
Who qualifies
Age 65 or older and retired from the U.S. uniformed services, the reserves or the National Guard; home is your principal residence with an assessed value of $800,000 or less. Cannot be combined with other optional county credits.
How to apply
County application (Year 1 form, then a re-application each year) to the Office of Finance with proof of retirement.
50% of the county property tax on the home if your VA service-connected rating is at least 75% (and you do not already have the state 100% exemption); 25% if your rating is 50%-74%.
Set by
county
Tax year
2027-28
Who qualifies
Veteran with a permanent service-connected disability of at least 50% (or a nonpermanent 100% rating), or the surviving spouse; principal residence.
Income limit
Federal adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less for the prior year.
How to apply
County application with the VA award letter and a copy of last year's federal tax return.
The lesser of $3,500 or the county tax on the home (tax years from July 1, 2025).
Set by
county
Tax year
2027-28
Who qualifies
Full-time Anne Arundel County police officers, firefighters/EMS, deputy sheriffs, detention officers and similar with at least one year of service (separate forms for retirees and volunteers), living in the home.
Lets you put off paying the increase in county real property tax on your home since you elect the deferral (a deferral, not a reduction). A lien is recorded; deferred taxes are due when the property is transferred, when the eligible owner dies, or after 50 years.
Set by
county
Tax year
2026-27
Who qualifies
Lived in the home at least 5 consecutive years and age 62+, or permanently and totally disabled.
Income limit
Combined gross household income of $55,000 or less.
How to apply
County deferral application with your most recent Maryland income tax return.
Roughly what an exemption could save you a year: the value it takes off, times your tax rate.
Eligibility finder for Anne Arundel County
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Document checklist for Anne Arundel County
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 Anne Arundel County
What property tax exemptions are there in Anne Arundel County?
Anne Arundel has one of the tightest Homestead caps in Maryland: county tax on a principal residence can rise only 2% a year (Annapolis uses 10% for city tax). The county also gives its own credits for retired military veterans 65+, partially disabled veterans, public safety officers, and a tax deferral for seniors and disabled homeowners, all applied for at the county Office of Finance, mostly by April 1. Local breaks here: Homestead Property Tax Credit (local cap); Retired Veterans Property Tax Credit; Disabled Veterans Property Tax Credit; Public Safety Officer Tax Credit; Real Property Tax Payment Deferral.
Where do I apply for a property tax exemption in Anne Arundel County?
Anne Arundel County Office of Finance – Tax Credits Phone: 410-222-1748 Address: 44 Calvert Street, Room 110, Annapolis, MD 21401. Also: Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) – Tax Credit Programs, which state program: Homestead and Homeowners' tax credits (and county supplements run through the HTC form). Also: SDAT Anne Arundel County Assessment Office, which SDAT local assessment office: assessments, disabled-veteran and blind exemptions.
When is the deadline to apply in Anne Arundel County?
Homestead Property Tax Credit (local cap): not confirmed; ask the office. Retired Veterans Property Tax Credit: April 1, 2027 for the tax year starting July 1, 2027 (each year, April 1 before the tax year). Disabled Veterans Property Tax Credit: April 1, 2027 for the tax year starting July 1, 2027 (each year, April 1 before the tax year). Public Safety Officer Tax Credit: April 1, 2027 for the tax year starting July 1, 2027 (each year, April 1 before the tax year). Real Property Tax Payment Deferral: June 1 of the tax year before the tax year (starting July 1) you want to defer.
Is there an income limit for Anne Arundel County’s local breaks?
Homestead Property Tax Credit (local cap): no income limit listed. Retired Veterans Property Tax Credit: no income limit listed. Disabled Veterans Property Tax Credit: Federal adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less for the prior year. Public Safety Officer Tax Credit: no income limit listed. Real Property Tax Payment Deferral: Combined gross household income of $55,000 or less.
Do I have to reapply every year in Anne Arundel County?
Homestead Property Tax Credit (local cap): One-time application. Retired Veterans Property Tax Credit: Re-apply every year; up to 50 years in total. Disabled Veterans Property Tax Credit: Re-apply every year by April 1. Public Safety Officer Tax Credit: Re-apply every year; up to 25 years. Real Property Tax Payment Deferral: not confirmed.
Good to know in Anne Arundel County
County credits reduce only Anne Arundel County property tax, not State tax, City of Annapolis tax or the solid waste and WPRF fees.
SDAT lists Anne Arundel among counties that add a local supplement to the state Homeowners' Tax Credit; the state HTC form is the only application for it.
Median effective tax rate for Anne Arundel County: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2020–2024 5-year estimates, county figures as published by Tax Foundation. The rate is property taxes paid divided by home value.