Budget & Taxes (Tax Credits)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 1127: Washington County - Homestead Property Tax Credit - Eligible Properties

HB 1127 expands Maryland's homestead property tax credit to include "Washington County Additional Residences." This means homeowners in Washington County who own a second home (like a vacation house or additional residence) in the county can now qualify for the credit, which previously only applied to primary residences. The bill defines a "Washington County Additional Residence" as a house and its lot in Washington County, including condominium units or cooperative apartments occupied by the owner. This change modifies specific sections of Maryland's property tax code to add these properties to the list of eligible residences for the credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands homestead property tax credit to second homes, providing tax relief and reducing tax burden for qualifying homeowners in Washington County.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 842: Property Tax Credit - Surviving Spouse of Military Service Member

HB 842 repeals a requirement that a surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty must acquire a dwelling house within two years of the service member's death to qualify for a property tax exemption. The bill directly affects surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty, allowing them to qualify for the exemption regardless of when they purchase or acquire the home. Key provisions remove the 2-year acquisition deadline from existing law (Maryland Code, Tax-Property § 7-208(b)), making the exemption available as long as the surviving spouse meets other eligibility criteria. This change takes effect June 1, 2026, applying to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals time limit for property tax exemption, expanding eligibility and reducing tax burden for surviving spouses of service members, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRepeals 2-year deadline for property tax exemption for surviving spouses of fallen service members, expanding access to benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 805: Income Tax - Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit - Alterations

SB 805 modifies Maryland's Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit program. It changes the recapture rule so individuals only repay the *unused portion* of the credit (not the full amount) if they don't use it for student loan payments within 3 years. The bill also authorizes the Maryland Higher Education Commission to extend the repayment deadline for eligible individuals facing specific delays, such as litigation over federal student loan plans or government processing issues. This directly affects Maryland residents who claimed the credit for undergraduate or graduate student loan debt and must now use it within a flexible timeframe. The bill does not alter credit limits ($9 million for 2025, $18 million annually after) or priority rules for state employees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies tax credit recapture to reduce repayment burden, expanding access to student loan debt relief and strengthening tax relief for eligible residents.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationModifies tax credit to reduce repayment burden for student loan relief, enhancing higher education access and affordability for eligible individuals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 946: Historic Revitalization Tax Credit - Alterations

SB 946 updates Maryland's Historic Revitalization Tax Credit program by removing a rule that previously blocked tax credits for rehabilitation costs already funded by state or local governments. It expands eligibility by allowing credits for projects in designated areas with strong economic development potential and revises how "substantial rehabilitation" is defined to give more time for spending. The bill affects business entities (including nonprofits and condo/co-op projects) rehabilitating certified historic structures by treating each structure as a separate credit-eligible project and creating a reserve fund for supplemental credits. These changes aim to make the tax credit more accessible for commercial historic preservation efforts while streamlining application processing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credits for historic rehabilitation, providing relief to businesses by removing restrictions on state/local-funded rehabilitation costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 851: Anne Arundel County - Property Tax Credit - Rural Legacy Program

SB 851 creates a property tax credit for Anne Arundel County homeowners who own land in a designated Rural Legacy Area and have sold development rights under the county's Rural Legacy Program. The credit reduces the county property tax bill for qualifying properties, specifically targeting landowners who preserved their land by selling development rights rather than building on it. This policy change, effective June 1, 2026, applies only to properties enrolled in the Rural Legacy Program and directly benefits landowners who participate in the program. The bill amends Maryland's property tax code to authorize this county-specific credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax credit reducing county taxes for qualifying landowners preserving rural areas via Rural Legacy Program, providing direct tax relief.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes land conservation via property tax credits for landowners preserving rural areas through Rural Legacy Program, directly supporting environmental conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 1095: Calvert County - Property Tax Credit - Tobacco Barns

HB 1095 creates a property tax credit program for Calvert County property owners whose land was formerly used solely as a tobacco barn. To qualify, the property must either be on land under a tobacco buyout agreement or meet agricultural assessment criteria while being used for approved farming activities. The county's governing body will set the credit amount, duration, and administrative rules. This credit applies to property taxes for taxable years starting after June 30, 2026. The bill directly affects Calvert County landowners transitioning from tobacco farming to other agricultural uses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax credit reducing burden for qualifying Calvert County landowners, directly providing tax relief under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 519: Earned Income Tax Credit - Assistance Program Implementation Delay and Study

SB 519 delays Maryland's Earned Income Tax Credit Assistance Program implementation until 2029, instead of 2024. It requires the Comptroller's Office to study outreach efforts by December 31, 2030, to help low-income residents claim the credit they qualify for but often miss. The bill also directs the Department of Service and Civic Innovation to recommend ways to assist low-income residents in claiming tax credits. This legislation postpones the program's start date while mandating studies to improve future outreach and participation.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDelays EITC implementation until 2029, restricting immediate tax relief for low-income residents instead of advancing the credit program.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Income Tax Tax Credits

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 961: Income Tax Credit - Venison Donation - Alterations

SB 961 modifies Maryland's tax credit for hunters donating processed deer meat. It removes the previous $300 annual limit on the credit, allowing hunters to claim the full credit for eligible expenses without the cap. The bill maintains a $75 per deer processing expense limit and requires donations to go to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations. Hunters must still comply with hunting laws, and donation programs must report donor information to the Comptroller annually. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves $300 annual cap on venison donation tax credit, expanding tax relief for hunters. Directly strengthens tax credit provisions per Budget & Taxes indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Income Tax Tax Credits

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 14, 2026

SB 973: Income Tax - Credit for Long-Term Care Premiums

SB 973 adjusts Maryland's income tax credit for long-term care insurance premiums. It reduces the maximum annual credit from $500 to $250 per person for Maryland residents aged 45 or older who pay premiums for qualifying long-term care insurance covering themselves or eligible family members. The bill restricts claims if the insured individual was covered before January 1, 2027, or if the credit was previously claimed for that person. These changes take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesReduces tax credit amount, restricting tax breaks for long-term care insurance premiums90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareReduces tax credit for long-term care insurance from $500 to $250, weakening financial support for coverage and limiting access to long-term care services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Long-Term Care

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1611: Property Tax - Credit for Dwelling House of Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses - Income Eligibility

HB 1611 repeals a fixed $100,000 federal adjusted gross income limit for disabled veterans seeking a property tax credit on their primary residence. Instead, it allows counties and municipalities to set their own income eligibility criteria for the credit, based on a veteran's federal adjusted gross income. The bill directly affects disabled veterans (with service-connected disabilities of 50%+) and their surviving spouses who own their homes. Key provisions shift authority from the state to local governments to determine income thresholds, while maintaining existing credit rates (25% or 50% of property tax) based on disability rating. The change takes effect June 1, 2026, for tax years beginning after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals fixed income cap, expanding property tax credit eligibility for disabled veterans (50%+ service-connected), providing targeted tax relief and strengthening tax policy for vulnerable groups.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes fixed income limit for property tax credit, allowing local adjustment to make housing more affordable for disabled veterans and surviving spouses.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRepeals fixed income cap for veterans' property tax credit, expanding eligibility by allowing local income criteria to increase access to benefits for disabled veterans and surviving spouses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing