Tax Sale Season - resources to help
Many of you may have received a Final Bill and Legal Notice saying you didn’t pay your taxes or citations. Please contact us immediately for assistance.
In many cases, residents either are behind on taxes, or there could be an accounting error. We do not know if Mayor Scott will remove homeowners from tax sale as he has done the past couple of years. We have also been working hard on tax sale reform with Mayor Scott. I am confident he will do this again, but we do want to provide the resources for our homeowners so that taxes can be paid.
Here are some resources that will help if residents are having trouble paying their taxes:
Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund: This is a state program that has ARPA funding to help homeowners pay for up to $10,000 for home repair, an additional $10,000 to pay property taxes and/or water bill, and an additional $10,000 for mortgage help. When the resident is applying, encourage them to please say “Yes” when asked if they had a COVID hardship. Also, all of the housing counseling agencies have staff that can help residents with the application. Here is the link: https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Residents/Pages/HomeownerAssistanceFund.aspx
Baltimore City Tax Sale Deferment Program: Baltimore City has a program to remove homeowners from tax sale. This was Councilwoman McCray’s initiative in 2020. Thank you Councilwoman! https://dhcd.baltimorecity.gov/hho/tax-sale-prevention
SOS Fund: The Stop Oppressive Seizures Fund assists people with avoiding tax sale. https://www.thesosfund.com/
The Homeowner’s Property Tax Credit: This is a state tax credit that helps pay for resident’s property taxes if they are making $60,000 or less. If the resident is 70 years old or more the credit can be retroactive. Residents have to apply for this credit every year – so they should just get in the habit of having whomever helps with their taxes fill in the forms. Here is the link: https://dat.maryland.gov/realproperty/Pages/Homeowners'-Property-Tax-Credit-Program.aspx They should apply now if they have not already.
Homeowner Protection Program: This state program can help you get out of tax sale and help you pay your home taxes. You must owe $7,000 or less in property taxes. The assess value of the home cannot be more than $300,000. The homeowner(s)’ annual income cannot be more than $60,000. Priority is given to older adults who are 60 years old or older. You must apply one month before tax sale date. For more details and to apply, click here: https://dat.maryland.gov/Pages/hpp.aspx
Emergency Mortgage and Housing Assistance Program: This is a city program that helps homeowner’s who are experiencing financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible applicants will have a household income at or below 80% AMI. The property must be the homeowner’s primary residence. For more details on eligibility and to apply, click this link: https://dhcd.baltimorecity.gov/hho/emergency-mortgage-housing-assistance-program