Baltimore County Property Tax: December Payment Guide

If you own and live in your home in Baltimore County, your property tax bill is usually split into two payments. The second installment is due December 1 and must be paid by December 31 to avoid penalty or interest. If your mortgage company pays your taxes through escrow, you generally will not get a December bill.

I hear this question a lot from first-time buyers in Arbutus, especially in their first year of owning. Here is what to know before the holidays get busy.

Who pays Baltimore County property tax in two installments?

Baltimore County says the semiannual (two payment) schedule is required for owner-occupied homes and small businesses. To qualify, you must be the owner of record as of July 1, and the home must be your principal residence that you actually live in for more than six months of a 12-month period. You can read the details on the Baltimore County payment schedules page.

If your tax bill does not have a semiannual section, the state has coded the property as not owner-occupied. The county says to call the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) at 410-512-4905 if you think that is a mistake.

When are Baltimore County property tax payments due?

If the second installment is not paid by December 31, the county considers the account delinquent. That can bring interest, penalties and possible tax sale, so it is worth putting the date on your calendar now.

What does each installment include?

Each semiannual payment is half of your yearly total. According to the county, that total covers state and county property taxes, your Homestead and Homeowners' Tax Credits, and Metropolitan Charges and other county charges.

If you have not applied for the Homestead Tax Credit yet, my Maryland Homestead Tax Credit guide walks you through how to check and apply.

What if my mortgage company pays my taxes?

If your escrow account paid the first installment in July, you will generally not receive a separate December bill, because your lender handles it. It is still smart to look at your escrow statement to confirm.

If you paid off your mortgage between July and December, the county asks you to contact Taxpayer Services for your second installment information. Either way, you are responsible for paying on time even if a bill never shows up.

How do I pay or ask a question?

The county's Office of Budget and Finance handles property tax payments and questions. Its office is at 400 Washington Avenue, Room 150, in Towson, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the phone number is 410-887-2404.

The county's payment schedules page links to its online payment options. When you pay by mail, return the matching stub (semiannual or full year) with your payment.

What does this mean for new homeowners and sellers?

If you bought your home this year, check your settlement statement and ask your lender whether your taxes are paid through escrow. That one question can save you a surprise in January.

If you are getting ready to sell, have your most recent tax bill handy, since buyers and settlement companies will ask for it. My Sell Your Home page has more on getting ready.

Frequently Asked Questions