Baltimore County Property Tax Appeal — Maryland

Rob Hartley·Updated February 16, 2026

Baltimore County surrounds but does not include Baltimore City, serving as the third-largest county in Maryland with its county seat in Towson. Baltimore County surrounds the city of Baltimore, but does not include the city itself. The county includes major population centers like Towson, Dundalk, Woodlawn, and Catonsville. Property tax appeals matter here because The effective tax rate in Baltimore County is 1.03%. While this is close to the state median, The median property tax in Baltimore County, Maryland is $2,358 per year for a home worth the median value of $269,900. Baltimore County collects, on average, 0.87% of a property's assessed fair market value as property tax. This places the county among the highest median property taxes in the United States, and is ranked 308th of the 3143 counties in order of median property taxes.

Notable cities: Towson, Dundalk, Woodlawn, Catonsville, Essex

Median Home

$413,500

Tax Rate

1.03%

Annual Tax

$4,259

Population

865,000

2026 Appeal Deadline: 45 days from assessment notice date

In Maryland, you must file an appeal within 45 days of receiving your new assessment notice. Based on the notices we have seen this cycle, the appeal deadline is February 13, 2026, although this could vary depending upon the notice issuance date.

Property in Baltimore County, Maryland — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Baltimore County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation

Assessment cycle: triennial

Notices typically mailed: December

In Baltimore County, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation. In Maryland, property tax assessments are performed once every three years. For example, if your home's market value is $413,500 (the county's median), at Maryland's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $413,500, resulting in approximately $4,259 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.03%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board (PTAAB). Customers generally need no assistance at this step, no fees are required, and they are free to present any supporting evidence, regardless of what was presented at the previous level appeal.

Step 1: File your appeal within 45 days of receiving your assessment notice using the online portal at https://assessmentappeals.dat.maryland.gov/ or by returning the appeal form

Step 2: Choose between an in-person hearing, phone hearing, or written appeal for the first-level review at the local Assessment Office

Step 3: If unsatisfied with the first-level decision, file an appeal to the Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board (PTAAB) within 30 days of receiving the final notice

Step 4: Attend the PTAAB hearing at Hampton Plaza, 300 E. Joppa Road, Suite 404, Towson, MD 21286, where you can present new evidence

Step 5: If still unsatisfied, appeal to the Maryland Tax Court within 30 days of the PTAAB decision

Required form: Real Property Assessment Appeal Form

Filing Methods

online:https://assessmentappeals.dat.maryland.gov/

mail:Return the appeal form included with your assessment notice

in-person:Visit your local assessment office

Evidence to Bring

comparable salesproperty photosrepair estimatesarchitectural drawingssite planssurveys

Baltimore County Assessor Contact

Baltimore County Office of Budget and Finance - Taxpayer Services

Phone: (410) 887-2404

Address: 400 Washington Avenue, Room 100, Towson, MD 21204

Website: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/budfin/taxpayer-services

Online Portal: https://assessmentappeals.dat.maryland.gov/

Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m.

Tax Exemptions in Baltimore County

Homestead Property Tax Credit

Limits annual taxable assessment increases to 4%

The Homestead Property Tax Credit is designed to limit the tax burden on property owners whose property assessment have increased.

Eligibility: Must be owner-occupied principal residenceDeadline: One-time application required

Disabled Veteran Exemption

100% exemption from Baltimore County property taxes

This law is designed to exempt the home of a disabled veteran or surviving spouse of a disabled veteran from all Baltimore County real property tax obligations.

Eligibility: Disabled veterans or surviving spousesDeadline: Apply through Maryland SDAT

Blind Individual Exemption

$15,000 assessed value exemption

State law exempts $15,000 of a property's assessed value from the real property tax obligations of a blind individual or that person's surviving spouse.

Eligibility: Blind individuals or surviving spousesDeadline: Apply through Maryland SDAT

Surviving Spouse of Fallen Law Enforcement

Property tax credit

Baltimore County offers a property tax credit to the surviving spouse of a fallen law enforcement officer or rescue worker, including volunteers. The death must have occurred in the State of Maryland during the course of or as a result of the individual's employment with Baltimore County.

Eligibility: Surviving spouses of fallen law enforcement or rescue workersDeadline: September 30

Official Resources

Baltimore County Taxpayer Services →

Official Baltimore County website for property tax information, payment options, and tax credit applications.

Maryland SDAT Property Tax Appeal Portal →

State portal for filing property tax assessment appeals online with your control number.

Baltimore County Property Tax Search →

Search and pay property taxes online, view tax bills, and check payment history.

Maryland Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board →

Information about the PTAAB process, board members, and hearing procedures for property tax appeals.

Baltimore County Appeal Statistics

Avg Reduction

$1,500

Check Your Baltimore County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Baltimore County property is overassessed.

✓ All 50 states✓ Instant results✓ $49 flat fee

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Baltimore County?

In Maryland, you must file an appeal within 45 days of receiving your new assessment notice. The specific deadline depends on when your assessment notice was mailed. Based on the notices we have seen this cycle, the appeal deadline is February 13, 2026, although this could vary depending upon the notice issuance date. Missing this deadline means you'll need to wait for the next assessment cycle or file a petition for review if you believe events have significantly affected your property value.

How do I file a property tax appeal in Baltimore County online?

You can file your property tax appeal online at https://assessmentappeals.dat.maryland.gov/ using the control number found on your assessment notice. If you received an assessment notice and feel the Total New Market Value on your notice does not reflect the market value of your property, you may use this form to file an appeal. The online system allows you to submit your appeal 24/7 within the 45-day deadline period, and you'll need your notice number and control number from your assessment to complete the process.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Baltimore County?

The Baltimore County homestead exemption limits annual taxable assessment increases to 4% for owner-occupied principal residences. The Homestead Property Tax Credit is designed to limit the tax burden on property owners whose property assessment have increased. This means if your property's assessed value increases by 10%, you'll only pay taxes on a 4% increase that year. You must file a one-time application to receive this credit, and it can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually depending on your property's assessment changes.

What happens at a Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board hearing in Baltimore County?

At a PTAAB hearing in Baltimore County, you'll present your case to a board of local residents appointed by the Governor at Hampton Plaza, 300 E. Joppa Road in Towson. Customers generally need no assistance at this step, no fees are required, and they are free to present any supporting evidence, regardless of what was presented at the previous level appeal. You can choose to appeal in person or in writing, and the Department provides a property worksheet and list of comparable properties they'll use to support their valuation. The hearing is informal, and you'll have the opportunity to present evidence like comparable sales, photos, and repair estimates.

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Baltimore County?

While specific success rates aren't published by Baltimore County, private tax appeal companies report average savings of around $1,500 per year for successful appeals. Call Maryland Tax Appeals to see if you qualify for an average savings of $1500 per year. The amount you can save depends on how much your property is overassessed compared to similar properties in your area. With The median property tax in Baltimore County, Maryland is $2,358 per year for a home worth the median value of $269,900, even a 10-20% reduction in assessment could save hundreds of dollars annually.

What evidence do I need for a Baltimore County property tax appeal?

For a successful Baltimore County property tax appeal, you'll need evidence showing your property's assessed value is higher than its actual market value. Once you file an appeal you need information to support your appeal that could include architectural drawings of your property, site plans, surveys, recent sale prices of comparable properties in your neighborhood. Photos documenting any property defects, repair estimates for needed maintenance, and a list of recent sales of similar homes in your area within the past year are particularly valuable. The stronger your comparable sales data, the better your chances of a successful appeal.

Can I appeal my Baltimore County property taxes if I missed the 45-day deadline?

If you missed the 45-day appeal deadline after receiving your assessment notice, you still have options. You may file a petition for review by the first working day following January 1, for the two years your property is not valued at reassessment. It is best to file a petition for review when events have occurred since your last regular assessment that you believe have caused your property value to decline. Additionally, If you purchase a property and the property is transferred after January 1 but before July 1, you may file an appeal within 60 days of the transfer.

Do I need to apply for the homestead exemption every year in Baltimore County?

An owner can receive a credit on only one property—the principal residence. The good news is that you only need to apply once for the homestead credit in Baltimore County. Homestead Credits are automatically added to the tax bills when assessments are increasing to offset the increase of the taxable assessment in any one year. When assessments remain consistent or decline, Homestead Credits will decrease until gone entirely. You can verify your homestead status on your tax bill or contact SDAT at(410) 512-4900.

For state-wide appeal information including Maryland's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Maryland Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Maryland Counties

Anne Arundel County (Annapolis)Montgomery County (Rockville)Prince George's County (Upper Marlboro)

← All Maryland property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/budfin/taxpayer-services | https://dat.maryland.gov/realproperty/pages/assessment-appeal-process.aspx | https://assessmentappeals.dat.maryland.gov/ | https://maryland.propertychecker.com/baltimore-county | https://smartasset.com/taxes/maryland-property-tax-calculator

Last verified: 2026-02-16