Tax Sale Coordination and Prevention Services
Tax Sale Coordination and Prevention Services assists homeowners in avoiding tax sale and understanding and navigating the tax sale process.
What is a Tax Sale?
Each year, Baltimore City sells homeowners’ unpaid city bills (liens) to outside bidders who then charge interest and fees, allowable under state law, to property owners. The 2024 Tax Sale will take place on May 20th. The last day to pay overdue bills to avoid tax sale is April 30, 2024.
Owner-occupied property is eligible for tax sale (also known as a tax lien certificate sale) if the combined total of its city liens is $750.00 or more. For non-owner-occupied properties, the threshold is $250.00. These liens include but are not limited to unpaid real property taxes, special benefits assessments, alley and footway paving bills, streetscape, minor privilege, multi-family dwelling, clean and board, environmental control, and residential registration charges and fees. Beginning in 2020, unpaid water bills will not count towards the $750 tax sale eligibility threshold for owner-occupied properties.
What Can I Do to Avoid or Reduce the Risk of a Tax Sale?
What is the Tax Sale Deferral Program?
The Tax Sale Deferral Program (formerly known as the Tax Sale Exemption Program) is an annual city program managed by the Departments of Finance and Housing and Community Development. Successful applicants have their properties removed from a tax sale in the year they apply. However, this program does not forgive unpaid bills, and if the bills are not paid, they may qualify the property for tax sale the next year.
How does the Tax Sale Deferral Program work?
The city sets aside $2 million dollars annually. From that starting balance, the amount of each applicant’s liens are deducted from the balance remaining. Once the $2 million dollars is exhausted, the program closes.
Am I eligible?
Homeowners who receive Final Bill and Legal Notices (FBLN) in February are eligible to participate in this program if they meet the following criteria:
- The assessed value of their home is $250,000 or less (You can look up the value of the home by clicking here to visit the State of Maryland SDAT - Real Property Search website), and
- The property is a Primary Residence, and the homeowner has lived there for at least 15 years, and
- One of the following criteria is met:
- The homeowner has a total annual household earned income of $36,000 or less; or
- The homeowner is at least 65 years old and has an annual earned income of $75,000 or less; or
- The homeowner is an adult currently receiving disability benefits from the Federal Social Security Disability Insurance Program or the Supplemental Security Income Program and has an annual earned income of $75,000 or less.
How can I apply?
The number of properties removed from tax sale through this program is limited, and applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is best to apply as early as you can. Applications are accepted February 15 – April 15 each year.
You must apply every year for this deferral. You can apply online by clicking here.
You may download an application by clicking here.
Or, you may pick up a paper application at the 1st floor of the Abel Wolman Building, and the 11th floor of 417 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, 21202.
To submit a paper application, you may mail it or bring it to:
Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development
417 E. Fayette Street, Suite 1125 (11th floor)
Baltimore, MD 21202
For more information regarding the application process please call the Department of Finance at (410) 396 3000 or email the Department of Housing & Community Development by clicking here.
Homeowners who are behind in property taxes or other bills, who have received notices from the Department of Finance, the Environmental Control Board, or the Department of Health, or who otherwise believe they are at risk of a tax sale, may receive free legal consultation and assistance by attending a tax sale clinic. Four clinics are held in March and April each year at different times in different city locations. Homeowners can call the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland at 443-703-3052 to learn more about the tax sale prevention clinics.
Homeowners can also reduce their risk of entering a tax sale by using state and city tax credits and other resources that lower household expenses.
A few of the most helpful resources are:
Maryland Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit
This credit can reduce the amount a homeowner must pay in property taxes based on the total gross (before taxes) household income.
In order to qualify the applicant must:
Own or have legal interest in the property
Live in the property at least 6 months of the year
Have a total gross household income of $60,000 or less
Homeowners must apply every year by October 1st. If you would like more information or to apply online, visit onestop.md.gov and select Department of Assessments and Taxation. You can find a hard copy version of the application here at dat.maryland.gov.
If you have any questions, please email sdat.homeowners@maryland.gov, or call 410-767-5900.
Please remember you must apply every year for this tax credit!!
If you are 70 years old or older, you may receive up to three years of credits that you have not taken. Please request information on how to access these credits when you email or call the phone number above.
This credit limits the increase in property taxes by limiting the increase of your property’s assessed value.
There is no application deadline, and all owner-occupied properties are eligible regardless of income. Homeowners only need to apply once, then they will receive the credit every year.
To apply online, visit onestop.md.gov and select Department of Assessments and Taxation. You can find a hard copy version of the application here at dat.maryland.gov.
For more information, visit the state of Maryland's Homestead Tax Credit Information Page.
If you have any questions, please email sdat.homestead@maryland.gov, or call 410-767-2165.
Department of Public Works Discount Programs
Although unpaid water bills no longer count towards the $750 tax sale eligibility threshold for owner-occupied properties, the unsettled debt can still be a financial burden and reduce resources available for other household expenses and bills. To inquire about the latest water bill discount programs, to be screened for additional benefits, or to find the closest office to you, please visit their website by clicking here, or call 410-545-0900.
Your home is often your biggest source of wealth. To be the legal owner of your home, and to be eligible for tax credits and many home improvement programs, your name must be on the deed. The Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service provides free consultations and legal services to secure your name on the deed to your home, assist in completing wills and health care directives and naming a financial power of attorney, and navigate the estate administration process.
Learn more or register for a free homeowner clinic by clicking here, or call 443-451-4066
For More Information
To learn more about the tax sale process, avoid a tax sale, or schedule a community-based information session, please email the Tax Sale Services Office or call 410-396-0273.
To find out if you have unpaid bills and how much you owe:
Property Taxes: Contact the Bureau of Revenue Collections at 410-396-3987
Miscellaneous Bills: (listed Misc) Obtain the original bill from the Bureau of Revenue Collections at 200 Holliday St, counter 2. Then, contact the Department of Housing and Community Development, Permits and Code Enforcement, at 410-396-3575
Registration Fees: Contact the Department of Housing and Community Development, Permits and Code Enforcement, at 410-396-3575
Environmental Citations: Contact the Environmental Control Board at 410-396-6909 or complete the Tax Sale Review Form by clicking here
Footway and Alleyway Bills: Contact the Baltimore City Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals (BMZA) at 410-396-4301 or bmza@baltimorecity.gov
Water and Sewer Bills: Contact the Department of Public Works (DPW) at 410-396-5398
Additional Resources
How To Redeem a Property AFTER Tax Sale (2024)
Baltimore City Department of Finance Tax Sale Information
