Property Tax FAQs

Property Tax Information

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Annual Payment Schedule

Taxes are due on July 1 of the tax year and may be paid without interest on or before September 30 of the tax year.

Semi-annual Payment Schedule

If you are eligible, one half of the total tax bill is due on July 1 of the tax year and may be paid without interest on or before September 30 of the tax year. The remaining half of the bill and associated service charge is due on December 31 of the tax year.

Interest on unpaid taxes is payable at 1% per month or portion thereof for State taxes and 2/3% per month interest and 5/6% per month penalty or portion thereof for County and Municipal taxes collected by Talbot County, Maryland. The County currently collects Municipal property taxes for the towns of Oxford, Queen Anne, St. Michaels and Trappe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Real Property Taxes

How does the Semi-Annual billing program work?

The State of Maryland has enacted legislation allowing real property taxes on a homeowner's "principal residence" to be paid on an optional semi-annual payment schedule. Simply, this means that instead of paying your entire bill by September 30, only one half of the balance due is payable as of that date. The remaining half is not payable until December 31. This second installment however, will contain an additional service charge over and above the property tax amount to offset the cost of this program. For FY 2024 the service charge, which includes an interest component and an administrative charge, has been set at 0.692% of the amount due on the second installment payable by December 31.

How do I elect to participate or not participate in the Semi-Annual billing process?

If your property has been designated by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation as your "principal residence," the tax bill shows both the first and second payments, as well as the dollar amount of the service charge. If you pay your taxes directly to the County, you may choose either the annual or semiannual payment simply by writing the payment amount in the "payment" block on the tax bill. If you pay your taxes as part of your payment to a mortgage holder or escrow account servicer and have not made an election to the contrary, you will be considered a semi-annual property taxpayer on your principal residence. Homeowners who wish to avoid the current service charge may pay the full taxes due by September 30. Homeowners who wish to avoid future service charges may opt to remain annual taxpayers. To do so, contact your mortgage company or escrow service in writing before May 1.

What is the significance of the "principal residence" indication on my tax bill?

Your tax bill must indicate your property as a "principal residence" in order to be eligible for Homestead credit benefits. Also, if your property is not designated as a "principal residence," you are not eligible for the semi-annual payment schedule option and your tax bill will only reflect the annual payment due on September 30. Should you feel that your property has been designated incorrectly, please contact the Supervisor of Assessments for Talbot County, 29466 Pintail Drive, Suite 12, Easton, MD 21601 (Phone: (410) 819-5920).

I would like to pay my taxes with a credit card. How can I do this?

Talbot County, Maryland will accept credit card payments for property taxes (and sanitary district bills) using Citizen Self Service via Paymentus, as well as over the phone. If paying taxes online, visit Citizen Self Service - Real Estate and follow the instructions; or if paying over the phone, call 1-833-230-9545. Paymentus charges a fee for this service.

The County will continue to accept credit card payments for property taxes (and sanitary district bills) through Value Payment Systems, either online or over the phone. If paying online, visit https://paylocalgov.com/talbotcounty-md and follow the instructions, or over the phone, call 1-888-877-0450. Value Payment Systems charges a fee for the service. For more details on both services, contact the Talbot County Finance Office at (410) 770-8020, or read this document.

What are my options for paying my taxes if I do not want to pay through the internet?

All checks should be made payable to Talbot County, Maryland. Payments by mail should be sent in the remittance envelope included in the mailing of your tax bill or be addressed to Talbot County, Maryland, 11 N. Washington Street, Suite 9, Easton, MD 21601. When making payments by mail, please be sure to include your 8-digit property tax account number on all checks or money orders to ensure all remittances are properly and promptly applied. Walk-in payments may be made at the Talbot County Finance Office, located in the Talbot County Courthouse at 11 N. Washington Street, Easton, MD  21601. The Finance Office is open Monday through Friday (except holidays) 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

I am unable to make full payment of my taxes at this time. May I make partial payments?

Partial payments will be accepted on current year tax bills ONLY. Partial payments will not be accepted for outstanding bills from previous tax years. For outstanding bills prior to the 2023-2024 tax year payments must be made in full. Failure to make full payment by March 1 will result in your property being included in our May tax sale process. 

When are property taxes due?

Annual Payment Schedule: Taxes are due on July 1 of the tax year and may be paid without interest on or before September 30 of the tax year.

Semi-Annual Payment Schedule:

If you are eligible, one half of the total tax bill is due on July 1 of the tax year and may be paid without interest on or before September 30 of the tax year. The remaining half of the bill and associated service charge is due on December 31 of the tax year.

Interest on unpaid taxes is payable at 1% per month or portion thereof for State taxes and 2/3% per month interest and 5/6% per month penalty or portion thereof for County and Municipal taxes collected by Talbot County, Maryland. The County currently collects Municipal property taxes for the towns of Oxford, Queen Anne, St. Michaels and Trappe.

I have questions concerning my tax bill. Who should I contact?

The name, address, property description and assessment shown on the property tax bill were certified to us by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Any questions you may have in regard to these items should be directed to the Supervisor of Assessments for Talbot County, 29466 Pintail Drive, Suite 12, Easton, MD 21601 (Phone: (410) 819-5920). Any changes to your mailing address should also be sent to the Supervisor of Assessments for Talbot County. Address changes may also be submitted to the Talbot County Finance Office by using the back of the payment stub on your tax bill. The Finance Office will then forward the address information to the Supervisor of Assessments for Talbot County. Other inquiries, including questions about the Semi-Annual tax payment option (see above section) should be made to the Talbot County Finance Office (Phone: (410) 770-8020). 

Are there any programs that provide tax relief based on income?

The State Homeowner's Property Tax Credit Program provides property tax credits for homeowners of all ages based on income. Applications can be picked up at the Talbot County Finance Office, 11 N. Washington Street, Easton MD 21601 (Phone: (410) 770-8020).

How is the County tax rate set?

The tax rate is set during the annual budget process each May. The tax rate is determined based on a budget approved by the County Council. 

Where are the tax bills mailed? Does the bill get mailed to my mortgage company?

All bills are mailed to the property owner. The address for the property owner is supplied by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Please contact your mortgage company to see if they need your tax bill for payment of your taxes.

What is the Homestead Credit?

This is to help homeowners deal with large assessment increases on their principal residences. There is a cap of 10% on State taxable assessment increases from one year to the next. There is a 0% cap on County and Municipal taxable assessment increases from one year to the next. YOU MUST APPLY FOR THIS CREDIT! It is no longer automatically calculated. If you would like additional information on the Homestead Credit, please visit the SDAT website at www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/homestead.html

How is my tax bill determined?

The assessed value of the property is certified to us by the Department of Assessment and Taxation. The assessed value is multiplied by the County, State and Municipal tax rates. 

I have a tax sale lien on my property. Can you give me information on how to redeem this property tax lien?

Annual bills and the first installments of semi-annual bills are due on or before September 30th and become delinquent on October 1st. The second semi-annual installment is due on or before December 31st and becomes delinquent January 1st. Delinquent taxes are subject to interest and penalty at the rate of 2/3% per month of interest and 5/6% per month of penalty on all County taxes and fees and 1.0% of interest on State taxes. Interest and penalties are applied to the net amount of the bill after any credits are applied.

Taxes which remain delinquent on March 1 of each year receive a final legal notice. Additional penalties are imposed in April of each year and payments made after mid-March must be in the form of cash, cashiers check or money order. Credit card payments may be made through Paymentus or Value Payment Systems until April 30, 2021. Payments by cash, cashiers check or money order may be made until two days before the date of sale. Delinquent taxes will result in the sale of the property tax lien through public Tax Sale.

The tax sale is held on a date in May as determined by the Finance Director. On this date the County will sell its first lien on the property to a tax sale purchaser. To remove this lien or "redeem the property," the owner or other person with a legal interest in the property may pay all outstanding fees and charges at any time until the right of redemption has been finally barred by decree of the circuit court in which the foreclosure proceeding is filed.

For more information regarding property redemption and tax sale, contact the Talbot County Finance Office at (410) 770-8020.

How do I appeal my assessment?

Information on how and when property assessments can be appealed can be found on the State Department of Assessment and Taxation (SDAT) website (www.dat.maryland.gov), or by calling the Talbot County Assessment Office (410-819-5920).

What if I don't get my bill?

Bills are mailed in early July. Likewise, second installment reminders are mailed in early December. If you do not receive a bill by mid-month of the mailing date contact the Talbot County Finance Office at (410) 770-8020 to obtain a duplicate bill.

What should I do with a bill that I received for property that I no longer own?

Return the bill to Talbot County, Maryland, Finance Office, 11 N. Washington Street, Suite 9, Easton, MD  21601. Please include a short note explaining why the bill is being returned and the name and address of the new owner, if known.

I have an agricultural easement. How do I apply for a tax credit?

Landowners with state and county agricultural easements may be eligible for tax credits. Applications are available through the Talbot County Department of Planning and Zoning. You can reach the Department of Planning and Zoning at (410) 770-8030. 

Are there other exemptions that taxpayers can apply for?

The State of Maryland provides for other exemptions including those for disabled veterans and blind persons. More information is available at the State Department of Assessments and Taxation website (http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/taxcredits.html).

Page last modified Tuesday, January 9, 2024 8:43:18 AM