Are you behind in paying your bills? Have you received a notice from the City?
The Tax Sale Deferral Program helps homeowners not go to tax sale for unpaid city bills. 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.
You may be eligible for the City’s Tax Sale Deferral Program if:
- You have lived in your home for 15 years or more
- Your home’s assessed value is $250,000 or less
- You owe more than $750 in unpaid bills to the City 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.
Applications are accepted February 15 – April 15 each year.
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.
How to Apply
Apply Online
Download Application
Pickup Paper Application
You may also pick up a paper application on the 1st floor of the Abel Wolman Building and the 11th floor of 417 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, 21202 .
Tax Sale Clinics
If you're a homeowner having trouble with property taxes or bills, got letters from specific departments, or are worried about losing your home in a tax sale, you 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.
Helpful Community Resources
Baltimore City homeowners who are facing difficulty paying delinquent tax, water, or environmental citation bills, or who face a lien sale or foreclosure, may be able to access assistance programs through the City or other community providers.