WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 972 – 1 – Chapter 972 (House Bill 154) AN ACT concerning Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit – Application Filing Deadline – Extension for Homeowner Protection Program Enrollees Homeowners’ and Homestead Property Tax Credits – Application Filing Deadline – Extension FOR the purpose of authorizing the State Department of Assessments and Taxation to accept an application for the homeowners’ property tax credit submitted by a certain homeowner within a certain period of time if the homeowner is enrolled in the Homeowner Protection Program; providing for the calculation of the homestead property tax credit for certain homeowners under certain circumstances; and generally relating to the homeowners’ and homestead property tax credit credits. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article – Tax – Property Section 9–104(u) Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) BY adding to Article – Tax – Property Section 9–105(d)(8) Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article – Tax – Property 9–104. (u) (1) Under the conditions set forth in this subsection, the Department may accept an application from a homeowner within: (i) 1 year after April 15 of the taxable year for which the property tax credit under this section is sought, if the homeowner: 1. is applying for the first time; or Ch. 972 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND – 2 – 2. has filed an application on or before October 1 in each of the 3 taxable years immediately preceding the taxable year for which the credit is sought; or (ii) 3 years after April 15 of the taxable year for which a credit is sought, if the homeowner IS: 1. A. [is] at least 70 years old as of the taxable year for which a credit is sought; [and] OR B. ENROLLED IN THE HOMEOWNER PROTECTION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER TITLE 14, SUBTITLE 8, PART VII OF THIS ARTICLE; AND 2. was eligible for the credit under this section for the taxable year for which the credit is sought. (2) A homeowner may apply to the Department for a property tax credit under this section by filing an application on the form that the Department provides. (3) The homeowner shall state under oath that the facts in the application are true. (4) To substantiate the application, the Department may require the homeowner to provide a copy of an income tax return, or other evidence detailing gross income or net worth. (5) On certification by the Department, the Comptroller shall pay to the homeowner the property tax credit due under this section. 9–105. (d) (8) (I) THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE INTERPRETED BROAD LY TO APPLY TO ANY HOMEOWN ER WHO: 1. IS AT LEAST 70 YEARS OF AGE; 2. WAS ELIGIBLE FOR THE CREDIT IN THE PRIOR TAXABLE YEAR BUT FAI LED TO FILE AN APPLI CATION FOR THE CREDI T; AND 3. APPLIES FOR A CREDIT FOR THE CURRENT TAXA BLE YEAR. (II) FOR HOMEOWNERS THAT M EET THE CRITERIA UND ER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CALC ULATE THE WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 972 – 3 – CURRENT YEAR ’S TAXABLE ASSESSMENT AS IF THE CREDIT HAD BEEN GRANTED FOR THE PRIOR TAXABLE YE AR. (III) A HOMEOWNER WHO MEETS THE CRITERIA UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH IS NOT DUE A REIMBURSEM ENT OF PROPERTY TAXES PAID IN PRIOR TAXABLE YEARS . SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: (a) Notwithstanding any other provision in § 9–105 of the Tax – Property Article as enacted under Section 1 of this Act, this Section shall be interpreted broadly to apply to any homeowner, as defined under § 9–105 of the Tax – Property Article, who: (1) is at least 70 years of age; (2) was eligible for the homestead credit in the second prior taxable year but failed to file an application for the credit; and (3) on or before May 31, 2025, applies for a credit for the current taxable year. (b) For homeowners that meet the criteria under subsection (a) of this section, the State Department of Assessments and Taxation shall calculate the current year’s taxable assessment as if the credit had been granted for the two prior taxable years. (c) A homeowner who meets the criteria of this Section is not due a reimbursement of property taxes paid in prior taxable years. SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 1 of this Act shall be applicable to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2024. SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 of this Act shall be applicable to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2022. SECTION 2. 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 1, 2024,. and shall be applicable to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2024. Section 2 of this Act shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and 1 month and, at the end of June 30, 2025, Section 2 of this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. Approved by the Governor, May 16, 2024.