04/14/2026
Attn MD Homeowners: Opportunities Are Being Missed to Save $s
Let’s talk about the Homestead property credit. What is it?
To help homeowners deal with large assessment increases on their principal residence, state law has established the Homestead Property Tax Credit. The Homestead Credit limits the increase in taxable assessments each year to a fixed percentage. Every county and municipality in Maryland is required to limit taxable assessment increases to 10% or less each year.
This credit used to happen automatically without the homebuyer doing anything. The State changed it so that now the homebuyer must proactively initiate an application for the credit. The result = countless homeowners that never applied for the credit when they bought their last primary residence = opportunities missed as they are paying more in property taxes than they should be.
How do you check to see if you applied and have the credit on your property tax bill? Go to https://sdat.dat.maryland.gov/RealProperty/Pages/default.aspx, look up your property, and scroll to the bottom to see if the Homestead Credit has been approved. If you have not been approved, you can complete the application here https://onestop.md.gov/.
If you bought your home 5 years ago, never applied, and apply now will the County refund you for the last 5 property tax bills? No, it is not retroactive.
Please message or call me with any questions. Happy to assist!
