ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) is encouraging residents whose real property has been damaged by the recent severe weather to contact the Department, as they may qualify to have their property assessments reduced.
Maryland residents can fill out an application form and email it to their local SDAT assessment office. A list of all SDAT offices with contact information can be found on SDAT’s website: http://www.dat.state.md.us/realproperty/pages/maryland-assessment-offices.aspx.
Multiple locations across Maryland such as Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Annapolis have been impacted by flooding and power outages, but Ellicott City in Howard County was particularly devastated. If you are a resident or business owner in Ellicott City, contact the Howard County Assessment Office by calling 410-480-7960 or email: sdat.how@maryland.gov.
Governor Larry Hogan has declared a statewide State of Emergency on Sunday, May 27, 2018, in response to the major flooding in order to provide Maryland residents with vital assistance and resources throughout the duration of this hazardous situation. SDAT offices have been in contact with county governments and other local organizations to offer any assistance and coordination necessary. In the coming weeks, SDAT’s assessors will be logging affected properties and will begin visiting areas impacted by the severe weather in order to locate and identify damaged property.
When a decrease in value is confirmed by an assessor— either from an exterior inspection or from a resident submitting the attached application— the new real property assessment will be sent to the County Finance Office and a new tax bill may be issued. If a property owner has already paid their tax bill, a prorated abatement will be issued. If the extent of damage is not clear from an exterior inspection, the attached application will be delivered to the property owner for them to complete and send back.