The tax year begins July 1^st of each year and ends June 30^th of the next year.  If you do not receive a tax bill by August 15^th, please contact this office immediately at  301-475-4473

SIX MONTH NEW CONSTRUCTION – REAL PROPERTY

The tax year begins July 1^st of each year and ends June 30^th of the next year.  If you completed construction of a new house or other improvement by the end of December in that fiscal year, the new improvement is taxed for the last half of the billing year, January 1^st to June 30^th.  As some mortgage companies do not pay supplemental bills, you will need to contact your escrow agent to determine if you or the Mortgage Company is responsible for payment.  Six month new construction bills are due by March 31^st.

ASSESSMENTS – REAL PROPERTY

The State Department of Assessments and Taxation determines the taxable assessment of your real property.  It is important that you verify assessment notices received from the SDAT for accuracy. Assessments you do not agree with may be appealed.

To obtain your current assessed value online,  visit  http://www.dat.state.md.us. For information by telephone, contact the local SDAT office at (301)-880-2900.

BILL DUE DATES – REAL PROPERTY

Owners of properties designated as ‘principal residence’ are eligible to pay real property taxes in two installments.  The first installment is due July 1^st and may be paid by September 30^th of each tax year without interest or penalty.  The second installment (including applicable service fee) is due on December 1^st and payment may be made by December 31^st for payment without penalty or interest.  ‘Principal residence’ owners may also pay real property taxes on an annual basis if desired.  If your mortgage company remits your tax payment for you, you must make an election in writing before May 1^st (60 days prior to the beginning of the next tax year) to be an annual payer. Click Here to download the PDF Form for your election process.

• Tax bills are due by September 30^th of each year for properties that are not designated as a principal residence.

• If a mortgage company holds your property taxes in an escrow account, please forward tax bills to them.  To verify that your real estate taxes were paid, check the annual escrow analysis statement provided to you by your mortgage company

• Please notify this office of any change in your mailing address by calling   301-475-4473, or by writing the address change on your tax remittance form

• Properties with delinquent prior year real property taxes due are subject to tax sale.  Please pay your bill promptly to avoid this situation.

TAX RATE TABLE – REAL PROPERTY

The State of Maryland and the St. Mary’s County Commissioners set the applicable tax rates during the annual budget process.  The rates are based on $100 of assessed property value.  Taxes can be calculated by dividing the taxable assessment by $100 and then multiplying by the tax rates.  You can obtain your current assessed value online at http://www.dat.state.md.us and left click on ‘Real Property Data Search’ or call the local SDAT office at (301)-880-2900.

REAL PROPERTY TAX RATES

 July 1, 2010 thru June 30, 2011
County Rate $.857 per $100
State Rate $.112 per $100

 BAY RESTORATION FUND

Please be advised that there will be an additional fee of $30 for all taxpayers with underground septic systems to go towards the Bay Restoration Fund.  Any questions regarding this fee please contact The County Treasurer's Office, 301-475-4473, Fax - 301-475-4946
 

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOLID WASTE FEE
  

On May 15, 2007, the Board of St. Mary’s County Commissioners adopted the Environmental and Solid Waste Fee (Ordinance No. 2007-04) payable by persons who own improved residential property in St. Mary’s County.  “Residential property” is all improved property that is residentially zoned and contains one or more dwelling units.  This includes, but is not limited to; a single-family home, a duplex, a triplex, a four-plex, an apartment building, a mobile home and/or trailer, condominium, a town house, a cooperative housing unit, or a residential building on a perma-lease.  Beginning July 1, 2007, the established annual rate for this fee is $60.00 per dwelling unit.  Written requests for appeal of this fee shall be made to the Office of the County Treasurer and must be received by December 31 of the year in which it is due.  An appeal may only be granted under the following circumstances:  Administrative or clerical errors, number of units inaccurate or a dwelling unit was (1) uninhabitable, or (2) was demolished as of January 2 of the year in which the fee is due.  The burden is on the property owner to provide convincing evidence to the County in order to have the appeal considered.