Prince George's County task force hears presentation on property-tax bills, credits and tax-sale process

Larissa Brody, representing the Prince George's County Office of Finance, told the Holistic Sustainable Solutions Senior Task Force that "property taxes are based on the assessed value of each property" and explained how tax bills are calculated and what charges may appear on a bill.

Brody summarized the calculation method presented: divide the assessed value by 100, multiply by each agency tax rate on the bill, then add any charges for programs such as clean water, bay restoration, solid waste (trash, recycling, bulk trash) or municipality-specific fees. "If there are any tax credits on there, it will be a section of the bill that has a tax credit below that section," Brody said.

The presenter said there is currently no authorized county payment plan for property taxes. Deadlines explained were: for non-principal residences, payment is due by Sept. 30; for principal residences the first (semiannual) installment is due Sept. 30 and the second by Dec. 31. Brody said homeowners may submit payments of any amount at any time during the fiscal year and the treasury will accept and apply them to accounts unless the account is delinquent, already included in tax sale or stated to go to tax sale. She illustrated with an example of a $4,000 annual tax bill and showed how partial payments can leave a balance that accrues penalty and interest.

Brody gave the monthly interest/penalty rate used in the example as 1.667% per month and noted that unpaid balances after the installment due date will incur that interest and penalty beginning the first day of the following month.

On the county tax-sale process, Brody said accounts with a delinquent balance of more than $500 may go to tax sale, which is held on the second Monday in May. Notices begin going out in March; once a property is sold at tax sale, she said, redemption requires guaranteed funds and the full amount due and partial payments cannot be accepted. Foreclosure steps can begin in September or November depending on whether the account is listed as a principal residence or not.

Brody directed homeowners to state and county programs for help. She said the homeowners' tax credit is income-based ("if people have total household income of $60,000 or less, they may be eligible") and noted the homestead tax credit as another program listed on county and state sites. She also cited the Maryland Homeowner Protection Program and a state-established tax-sale ombudsman as resources and provided phone numbers for the county tax-sale unit (301-952-3948) and the Treasury Division (301-952-4030). The treasury office address and walk-in hours were given as 1301 McCormick Drive, Suite 1100, walk-in hours 9 a.m.–1 p.m.; telephone service 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Brody said the county is still implementing new legislation adopted Feb. 11, 2025, and that the elderly property tax credit had been suspended effective June 30, 2025; the Office of Finance is working with the county executive's office and the County Council to resolve implementation challenges.

Task force members asked questions about whether the county has seen increases in foreclosures or redemptions; Brody said the number of accounts going to tax sale has been roughly steady in recent years and reiterated the notification and timeline process for tax sale and foreclosure.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (04/09/2025): Motion to approve made by Sydney Harrison; seconded by Dr. Chile; voice vote taken; outcome recorded in the meeting as approved (individual tallies not specified). Notes: motion text "approval of minutes of 04/09/2025." - Motion to adjourn: Moved by Miss Brooks (District 9); seconded by Sydney Harrison; voice vote taken; outcome recorded as approved (individual tallies not specified).

The task force had no further questions at the end of the presentation and adjourned after the motion to adjourn was approved. The chair asked members to send suggested presentations to Miss Eubanks for future agendas; one presenter is scheduled for the Oct. 8 meeting.