STATE DEPARTMENT OF
ASSESSMENTS & TAXATION

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

Functions of the State Department of Assessments and Taxation began in 1878 when the office of the State Tax Commissioner was established (Chapter 178, Acts of 1878). In 1914, the State Tax Commission replaced the office of the State Tax Commissioner (Chapter 841, Acts of 1914). In 1959, the quasi-judicial appeal responsibilities of the State Tax Commission were replaced by the Maryland Tax Court, and Commission administrative duties were assumed by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (Chapter 757, Acts of 1959). In 1973, the State took over administration of local assessment offices and bore their full operational costs as well (Chapter 784, Acts of 1973). Maryland is the only state where the assessment process is centralized fully at the State level.

Appointed by the Governor, the Director of Assessments and Taxation administers and enforces the property assessment and tax laws of Maryland. The Director supervises assessment of all property in the counties and cities so that similar kinds of taxable property are assessed alike. For both real and business personal property, the Director must establish a continuing method of assessment (Code Tax - Property Article, Title 2).

For each county and Baltimore City, the Director of Assessments and Taxation appoints a Supervisor of Assessments nominated by the Mayor of Baltimore City, the County Commissioners, or, under charter government, by the County Council or the County Executive with Council approval.

BUSINESS SERVICES & FINANCE DIVISION

The Business Services and Finance Division was formed in 1992 from the merger of the Corporate Charter Division and the Corporate Assessments Division. The Division oversees the annual reassessment of personal property, including operating property of railroads and public utilities.

The Division is custodian of domestic charters for Maryland corporations and of qualifications and registrations for limited partnerships and foreign corporations. Specified fees are collected, and the personal property of such corporations is assessed by the Division. Thereafter, the values are certified to the subdivisions for application of local tax rates. The Division also administers franchise taxes applicable to the net income of banks and savings and loan associations, and to the gross receipts of public service corporations.

Under the Division are five units: Administrative Operations; Charter; Franchise Taxes; Personal Property Assessments; and Utility and Railroad Valuation.

REAL PROPERTY VALUATION DIVISION

Real property is reassessed on a three-year cycle by reviewing one-third of all property in Maryland every year. The review includes an exterior physical inspection of the property. The Real Property Valuation Division participates in all court proceedings where assessment questions are involved. The Division also provides clerical assistance to several local Property Tax Assessment Appeal Boards.

Brochures explaining the assessment process and related matters, such as appeals and tax credits, are available at each local assessment office and from the State office in Baltimore.

TAXPAYER SERVICES DIVISION

The Taxpayer Services Division began as Special Programs and was reorganized under its present name in 1992. The Division administers the Home Owners' and Renters' Property-Tax Credit Programs, and Management Information Systems.

The Home Owners' Property-Tax Credit Program and the Renters' Property-Tax Credit Program provide more than $56 million in State-funded property tax credits to home owners and renters who qualify based on an income test. The Home Owners' Program is available to all home owners in Maryland, regardless of age. The Renters' Program applies to the permanently disabled; renters aged 60 or over; or renters who are under age 60, with dependent children, and who meet certain income requirements.

Management Information Systems was formed in 1993. The program administers and maintains the automated data systems of the Department, and designs and maintains real property, corporate charter, local personal property and tax credit systems for all jurisdictions throughout the State.

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