Maryland · Property tax exemptions for veterans · Updated Oct 2026
Maryland property tax exemptions for veterans (2026)
Every statewide property tax break for veterans in Maryland that our guide lists, from disabled-veteran exemptions to breaks for surviving spouses. What each is worth, the VA rating it needs, the deadline and how to apply.
Short answer
The main property tax break for veterans in Maryland is the Disabled Veteran Exemption (100% service-connected). Your home (principal residence, lot and structures like a garage) is fully exempt from property tax.
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.
For surviving spouses of veterans and service members
These breaks are for the surviving spouse. See every break a surviving spouse in Maryland can claim or keep on the surviving spouses page.
Surviving spouses
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.
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.
Deadline: 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.
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.
Deadline: No fixed deadline; refunds are possible if you apply within 3 years of the year the veteran died.
Renewal: One-time; SDAT checks marital status once each three-year reassessment.
Savings estimate for Maryland
None of these breaks is one fixed dollar amount taken off your home's value, so we can't estimate the savings here. What each one is worth is on its card above.
Eligibility finder for Maryland
Answer a few questions to see which property tax breaks may fit you. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
Pre-set for veterans: you own and live in the home and are a veteran. Add your VA rating, and change any answer.
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 veterans property tax breaks in Maryland
Who qualifies for property tax breaks for veterans in Maryland?
Disabled Veteran Exemption (100% service-connected): 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). Surviving Spouse of a 100% Disabled Veteran or Military Casualty Exemption: 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.
Is there an income limit for veterans' property tax breaks in Maryland?
Our sources list no income limit for any of these breaks.
When is the deadline for veterans to apply in Maryland?
Disabled Veteran Exemption (100% service-connected): 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. Surviving Spouse of a 100% Disabled Veteran or Military Casualty Exemption: No fixed deadline; refunds are possible if you apply within 3 years of the year the veteran died.
Do veterans have to reapply every year in Maryland?
Disabled Veteran Exemption (100% service-connected): 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: One-time; SDAT checks marital status once each three-year reassessment.
Where do veterans apply for property tax breaks 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. For the Disabled Veteran Exemption (100% service-connected): Send the 100 Percent Disabled Veteran Exemption Application to SDAT's local assessment office for your county.