Anne Arundel Property Tax Guide: Pay, Search, Due Dates & Exemptions
Anne Arundel property tax bills are issued by the County Office of Finance, but the ownership, mailing address, property description and assessment value come from the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, often called SDAT.
Use this guide to search your bill, pay online or by phone, understand September 30 and December 31 due dates, review FY2027 rates, check credits and exemptions, appeal an assessment, request a refund, and avoid tax-sale or escrow mistakes.
Quick Answer: Where to Start
For Anne Arundel property tax payment, duplicate bills, payment posting, refunds and tax-sale questions, start with the Anne Arundel County Office of Finance. For assessed value, ownership, mailing address, property description or assessment appeal questions, start with Maryland SDAT.
Real property taxes are due and payable without interest on July 1. The regular deadline is September 30, and interest or penalties begin on October 1. Owner-occupied property can normally use a semiannual schedule with the first installment due September 30 and the second due December 31.
Fast Route: What Should You Do First?
Use this table before opening a portal. Most mistakes happen because the owner uses the payment office for assessment issues, or SDAT for payment problems.
| Your Problem | Start Here | Why | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| I need to pay my property tax bill | Anne Arundel County payment portal | County Finance collects real property taxes. | Search the real estate bill and verify parcel/account details. |
| I need a duplicate bill | County Tax Division | Duplicate bill and billing questions are Finance tasks. | Call 410-222-1736 or use the county bill search. |
| Owner name or mailing address is wrong | Maryland SDAT | The county bill is generated from SDAT ownership and address records. | Update SDAT records; postal forwarding does not update the tax record. |
| Assessment value is too high | SDAT assessment appeal | Assessment appeals start with SDAT, not County Finance. | File within 45 days of the assessment notice date. |
| I need tax credits or exemptions | County credits page and SDAT credit programs | Some credits are county-level, while Homestead and Homeowners credits are handled by SDAT. | Check the bill, then open the correct credit application. |
| Property was sold or paid by escrow | County Tax Division and mortgage company | Overpayments, escrow errors and sold-property payments may create refunds or credits. | Call 410-222-1736 or email realproperty@aacounty.org. |
Anne Arundel Property Tax Due Dates
Anne Arundel County operates on a fiscal year from July 1 through June 30. The property tax bill is mailed in July to the mailing address shown in SDAT records.
Do not wait until late September to solve address, escrow, bill-copy or assessment questions. Online payments may take up to two business days to show on the account.
| Date or Period | What It Means | What You Should Do |
|---|---|---|
| July 1 | Real property taxes are due and payable without interest as of the first day of the taxable year. | Check your bill and confirm mailing address, mortgage escrow and credits. |
| July / early August | Tax bills are mailed to the address of record per SDAT. For FY2026, the county said owners could contact the Tax Department if not received by August 15. | Use online bill search or call 410-222-1736 if the bill does not arrive. |
| September 30 | Regular real property tax deadline. Interest and penalties start October 1. | Pay the annual bill by this date or make the first semiannual installment if eligible. |
| December 31 | Second semiannual installment deadline for qualifying owner-occupied property. | Pay the second installment and check whether service charge applies. |
| October 1 and after | Unpaid taxes begin accruing interest and penalties. | Check the online balance before paying because the amount may have changed. |
| Assessment notice date | SDAT appeal deadline is tied to the notice date, not the tax bill due date. | File an assessment appeal within 45 days if value or classification is wrong. |
Important: If you moved, forwarding mail through the post office does not update the official SDAT mailing address used for the tax bill. Update the SDAT record so future bills and notices go to the correct address.
How to Search an Anne Arundel Property Tax Bill
Use the county MUNIS self-service real estate tax search to find property tax bills. The system can search by parcel/account number or by house number and street name.
When using an account number, omit dashes and special characters. When searching by address, use the house number and street name, and do not enter the street type such as Road, Street, Lane or Drive.
- Open the Anne Arundel County real estate bill search.
- Enter either the parcel/account number or the house number and street name.
- Do not enter both search types at the same time.
- Omit dashes from the 12-digit account number.
- Verify owner, address, year, charges, credits and total due before paying.
How to Pay Anne Arundel Property Tax
Anne Arundel County’s online bill payment system accepts real estate tax payments. Online payment options include credit card, eCheck and digital wallet options through the county’s payment processor.
All online payments are subject to convenience fees. After submitting payment, the county says the payment may show as pending and appear on the account within two business days.
| Payment Method | What the County Says | Best Use | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online payment | Credit card and eCheck payments are accepted online; convenience fees apply. | Fast bill payment when you can tolerate posting time. | Payment may take up to two business days to appear on the account. |
| Pay by phone | Call 1-833-277-8723 and have the real estate tax parcel number and payment information ready. | Phone payment when you have account details but cannot use the website. | Convenience fees apply and returned items/chargebacks may incur fees. |
| AutoPay | The county allows automatic payment setup for real estate taxes and utilities. | Recurring or scheduled payments for owners who monitor accounts. | AutoPay cancellations should be handled ahead of the due date. |
| Mail or in person | County cashier and Finance options may be available depending on bill type. | Owners who need office help or do not want online convenience fees. | Mail early and include correct account details. |
- Search the real estate tax bill first.
- Confirm parcel/account number, owner, address and year.
- Review all tax lines, credits, fees and special charges.
- Choose online, phone, AutoPay, mail or office route.
- Save confirmation and check account posting later.
Annual vs Semiannual Property Tax Payments
Anne Arundel County says real property taxes on owner-occupied property are payable by semiannual installments. The first installment is due by September 30 and the second is due by December 31.
A service charge is assessed on the second installment. You can avoid that service charge by paying the full annual amount by September 30.
| Option | Due Date | Who It Helps | Important Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full annual payment | September 30 | Owners who want to avoid the second-installment service charge. | Confirm total due before paying. |
| First semiannual installment | September 30 | Eligible owner-occupied properties using installment payment. | Check the bill to confirm semiannual eligibility. |
| Second semiannual installment | December 31 | Owners who did not pay the full annual amount. | Second installment includes a service charge. |
Anne Arundel Property Tax Rates
Property tax rates are set by the County Executive and County Council through the annual budget process. The total on your bill can include County, State, municipal and special charges depending on where the property is located.
For FY2027, Anne Arundel County lists the following real property rates per $100 of assessment. Always check the current rate page for the year on your bill.
| Area | County Rate | State Rate | Municipality Rate | Total Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anne Arundel County outside Annapolis and Highland Beach | 0.96800 | 0.11200 | — | 1.08000 |
| City of Annapolis | 0.57700 | 0.11200 | 0.73800 | 1.42700 |
| Town of Highland Beach | 0.93800 | 0.11200 | 0.36480 | 1.41480 |
What Appears on an Anne Arundel Property Tax Bill?
Your bill may include more than the County real property tax. Depending on location and services, it can include State property tax, City of Annapolis or Town of Highland Beach taxes, solid waste service charges, stormwater or Waterway Protection and Restoration Fund charges, Bay Restoration fees, and special community benefit district taxes.
Credits also appear on the bill when approved. A Homestead Property Tax Credit or Anne Arundel County property tax credit is shown as a separate line.
| Bill Line | Why It Appears | Where to Ask Questions |
|---|---|---|
| County property tax | Local real property tax based on assessed value and county rate. | Anne Arundel County Office of Finance. |
| State property tax | Maryland State property tax shown as a separate line. | County bill office for billing; SDAT for assessment data. |
| Municipal tax | May apply inside City of Annapolis or Town of Highland Beach. | Municipality and County Finance. |
| Solid waste or stormwater fee | Service or environmental charges attached to the property. | County department listed for the charge. |
| Tax credit | Approved county or state credit reduces eligible tax liability. | County credit office or SDAT depending on the program. |
Anne Arundel Property Tax Credits and Exemptions
Tax credits reduce how much you pay on your annual property tax bill. Anne Arundel County says credits reduce County property tax liability, but they generally do not reduce non-county items such as State tax, City of Annapolis tax, solid waste charges, WPRF fees or certain other charges.
Some programs are local county credits, while Homestead and Homeowners’ credits are administered through Maryland SDAT. Read each program carefully before applying.
| Program | What It Helps With | Important Detail | Official Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland Homestead Property Tax Credit | Limits taxation of large assessment increases on a principal residence. | Anne Arundel County states its 2% homestead limit remains in place for County taxes. | SDAT Homestead |
| Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit | Income-based property tax relief when taxes exceed a percentage of income. | Administered by Maryland SDAT. | SDAT Homeowners Credit |
| Disabled Veterans Property Tax Credit | Credit for eligible disabled veterans and surviving spouses. | Documentation and re-application rules may apply. | County Credits |
| Public Safety Officer / 9-1-1 Specialist credits | Credits for certain eligible public safety or 9-1-1 employees. | Eligibility is tied to detailed statutory and county requirements. | County Credits |
| Energy and building credits | Examples include geothermal, solar, high-performance building and similar programs. | Receipts, project cost statements or application documents may be required. | County Credits |
- Review your current property tax bill for credit lines.
- Use SDAT Real Property Search to check Homestead status.
- Open the Anne Arundel credits page for local applications.
- Check whether the credit applies only to County property taxes.
- Contact the credit office if your application is incomplete or pending.
SDAT Property Records: Ownership, Mailing Address and Assessment
Anne Arundel County bills are based on assessment, ownership and property description information supplied by SDAT. If ownership, mailing address or property description is wrong, the county may not be able to fix it directly.
For SDAT questions in Anne Arundel County, the county real property tax page lists SDAT at 410-974-5709. The FY2026 bill information page also lists sdat.aa@maryland.gov for questions about information maintained online.
- Open SDAT Real Property Data Search.
- Select Anne Arundel County.
- Search by address, account identifier or other available method.
- Compare owner name, mailing address, legal description and assessment.
- Contact SDAT if the record needs correction.
How to Appeal an Anne Arundel Property Assessment
An assessment appeal is different from a tax-bill payment question. SDAT controls the property assessment, and the first appeal deadline is tied to the assessment notice date.
Maryland SDAT says assessment appeals must be filed within 45 days of the notice date. If you are not satisfied with SDAT’s decision, the next route can be the Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board, and further appeal may go to the Maryland Tax Court within required deadlines.
| Appeal Stage | What It Means | Timing | Best Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDAT Supervisor Level | First challenge to the assessment notice. | File within 45 days of the notice date. | Comparable sales, condition photos, incorrect property data, appraisal or repair evidence. |
| PTAAB | Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board review if owner disagrees with SDAT result. | Follow the deadline on the SDAT final notice. | Same evidence, better organized, plus SDAT decision and worksheet. |
| Maryland Tax Court | Further appeal from a PTAAB order. | Generally 30 days from the PTAAB order date. | Formal appeal record and legal/tax support when needed. |
- Read the SDAT assessment notice immediately.
- Mark the 45-day deadline from the notice date.
- Review SDAT record for wrong property data.
- Gather comparable sales, photos, repair estimates and property facts.
- File through the official SDAT appeal form before the deadline.
Evidence Checklist for an Anne Arundel Assessment Appeal
Do not appeal only because the tax bill feels high. The strongest appeal explains why the assessed market value, classification or property details are wrong.
| Evidence Type | Best For | How to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Comparable sales | Showing market value is too high. | Use similar homes, neighborhood, size, age, condition and sale date. |
| Recent purchase documents | New buyers whose assessed value is above purchase evidence. | Use closing statement, appraisal and listing history. |
| Photos and repair estimates | Damage, deferred maintenance, structural problems or condition differences. | Date photos and connect each issue to value impact. |
| Incorrect SDAT property details | Wrong square footage, wrong finished area, wrong land size or incorrect improvements. | Highlight the wrong data and attach survey, floor plan, permit or appraisal proof. |
| Credit or exemption documents | Homestead, homeowner, veteran or local credit problems. | Use approval letters, application proof and SDAT status screens. |
Refunds, Overpayments and Credit Balances
Refunds may happen if you overpaid, paid the wrong bill, paid a bill that your mortgage company also paid, paid a bill for a property you no longer own, or an adjustment created a credit balance.
Anne Arundel County says refund questions can be made by calling 410-222-1736 or emailing realproperty@aacounty.org. Some credit balances may be applied to the next county tax bill if not refunded.
- Search the property tax account and save the bill/payment history.
- Identify whether the issue is overpayment, escrow duplicate payment, sale-related payment or assessment adjustment.
- Gather closing documents, mortgage escrow proof or payment confirmation.
- Contact the Tax Division at 410-222-1736.
- Use the county refund request process if required.
Mortgage Escrow and New Owner Checklist
If your mortgage company pays taxes, do not assume the bill was paid without checking. The county may still mail the bill to the SDAT address of record, and escrow companies may need the correct bill information.
New owners should also check for prior-owner credits, mailing address errors, upcoming reassessment notices and escrow setup timing.
Check SDAT ownership and mailing address after closing. Postal forwarding does not update SDAT records.
Confirm with your mortgage company whether it has the correct parcel/account number and tax amount.
Use county bill search or call 410-222-1736 if the bill does not arrive.
If you and your mortgage company both paid, review the refund policy and contact the Tax Division.
Delinquent Property Tax and Tax Sale Risk
Anne Arundel County conducts an annual tax sale under Maryland law and county code to collect delinquent real estate taxes and other delinquent charges owed to the county, including some water and wastewater charges.
If your account is delinquent or you receive a tax-sale notice, act quickly. Do not rely on a normal payment schedule or old balance because interest, penalties, fees and other charges may change the payoff amount.
- Open the county tax sale page and read owner instructions.
- Search the property account and confirm the total delinquent balance.
- Contact the county if you see ownership, address or payment errors.
- Pay only through official county-approved channels.
- Ask for written confirmation once the balance is resolved.
Business Personal Property Tax in Anne Arundel County
This article focuses on real property, but business owners may also see business personal property tax bills. Anne Arundel County issues business personal property tax bills for business entities with business assets located in the county.
For business personal property annual reports, returns, assessments and reinstatement issues, SDAT may also be involved. Use the business personal property page instead of the real estate tax search when the bill is for business assets.
- Open the county business personal property tax page.
- Use the MUNIS personal property billing route when paying a business personal property bill.
- Contact the county Tax Department for county bill questions.
- Contact SDAT for annual report or personal property return questions.
Common Anne Arundel Property Tax Mistakes to Avoid
If the bill does not arrive, use online search or call the Tax Division. Missing mail does not stop deadlines.
The county cannot update the SDAT mailing address used for tax bills. Contact SDAT.
Assessment appeal rights run from the assessment notice date, not the tax bill due date.
Semiannual payment may help cash flow, but the second installment includes a service charge.
Credits may not reduce solid waste, WPRF, State tax, municipal taxes or some other charges.
County guidance says online payments may take up to two business days to appear on the account.
Anne Arundel Property Tax Office Contact Details
Use these contacts when you need help with bills, payments, duplicate bills, refunds, SDAT records, deeds or liens.
| Office | Use For | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Anne Arundel County Real Property Tax Division | Bills, payments, duplicate bills, refunds and tax account questions. | Phone: 410-222-1736. Email: realproperty@aacounty.org. Address: 44 Calvert Street, Room 110, Annapolis, MD 21401. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm. |
| Maryland SDAT Anne Arundel records | Assessment, ownership, mailing address and property description questions. | Phone listed by county: 410-974-5709. Email listed by county: sdat.aa@maryland.gov. |
| Land Records | Deeds, deeds of trust, liens and recorded land documents. | Phone listed by county: 410-222-1425. |
| Online/phone payment support | Transaction issues with Paymentus processing. | Paymentus support listed by county: 1-800-420-1663. Pay by phone: 1-833-277-8723. |
Related Property Tax Guides on This Site
These guides help with wider property-tax concepts before you use official Anne Arundel County or SDAT systems.
Official Anne Arundel Property Tax Links
Use these official links when you are ready to search, pay, verify rates, update SDAT records, apply for credits, appeal an assessment, or contact the county.
Anne Arundel Property Tax FAQs
Who sends Anne Arundel property tax bills?
Anne Arundel County Office of Finance issues real property tax bills for properties in its jurisdiction using assessment, ownership and property description information supplied by Maryland SDAT.
When are Anne Arundel property taxes due?
Real property taxes are due and payable without interest on July 1. The regular payment deadline is September 30, and interest or penalties begin October 1.
Can I pay Anne Arundel property tax semiannually?
Owner-occupied real property can normally be paid in semiannual installments. The first installment is due September 30, and the second installment is due December 31.
Is there a service charge for semiannual payment?
Yes. Anne Arundel County says a service charge is assessed on the second installment. Paying the full annual amount by September 30 avoids that charge.
How do I search my Anne Arundel property tax bill?
Use the county real estate tax search. Search by parcel/account number without dashes or by house number and street name without the street type.
What if I did not receive my property tax bill?
Use the county online bill search or call the Tax Division at 410-222-1736. If the mailing address is wrong, contact SDAT because the county bill uses the SDAT address of record.
How do I pay Anne Arundel property tax online?
Search the bill through the county payment system, verify the property and year, choose the payment method, and save the confirmation. Convenience fees apply.
How long does an online payment take to post?
County payment guidance says submitted payments may show as pending and may appear on the account within two business days.
Can I pay Anne Arundel property tax by phone?
Yes. The county lists pay-by-phone at 1-833-277-8723. Have the real estate tax parcel number and payment information ready.
Who fixes owner name or mailing address errors?
Maryland SDAT handles ownership, mailing address, assessment and property description data. Anne Arundel County generates bills using SDAT data.
What is the FY2027 Anne Arundel real property tax rate?
For FY2027, Anne Arundel County outside Annapolis and Highland Beach lists a total real property rate of 1.08000 per $100 of assessment, including County and State rates.
Are Annapolis and Highland Beach tax rates different?
Yes. City of Annapolis and Town of Highland Beach properties include municipal rates in addition to applicable County and State rates.
What charges can appear on my property tax bill?
The bill can include County property tax, State property tax, municipal tax if applicable, solid waste charges, stormwater or WPRF fees, Bay Restoration fees, special district charges and tax credits.
What is the Homestead Property Tax Credit?
It is a Maryland credit that protects eligible principal residences from large taxable assessment increases. Anne Arundel County states its 2% homestead limit remains in place for County taxes.
What is the Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit?
The Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit is an income-based Maryland program that may limit property taxes for eligible homeowners. It is administered by SDAT.
Do credits reduce every charge on the bill?
No. Anne Arundel County explains that credits reduce County property tax liability, but generally do not apply to items such as State tax, City of Annapolis tax, WPRF fee, solid waste charges or some other non-county charges.
How do I appeal an Anne Arundel property assessment?
Assessment appeals start with SDAT. The appeal must be filed within 45 days of the assessment notice date using the official SDAT appeal process.
What happens after the SDAT appeal decision?
If you disagree with SDAT’s result, the next route may be the Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board. Further appeal may be available to the Maryland Tax Court within required deadlines.
What evidence helps an assessment appeal?
Comparable sales, recent purchase records, condition photos, repair estimates, independent appraisals, surveys and proof of incorrect property details can help support an appeal.
How do refunds work if I overpaid?
Refunds may result from overpayment, erroneous payment or bill adjustments that create a credit balance. Contact the county Tax Division at 410-222-1736 or realproperty@aacounty.org.
What if my mortgage company also paid the bill?
Check the county account and contact your mortgage company. If duplicate payment created a credit balance, review the county refund policy and contact the Tax Division.
Can unpaid property tax lead to tax sale?
Yes. Anne Arundel County conducts an annual tax sale to collect delinquent real estate taxes and certain other delinquent charges owed to the county.
Where is the Anne Arundel Real Property Tax Division?
The county lists the Real Property Tax Division at 44 Calvert Street, Room 110, Annapolis, MD 21401, with hours Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.
Is CountyPropertyTaxes.us the official Anne Arundel tax office?
No. This is an independent informational guide. Use official Anne Arundel County, Maryland SDAT, PTAAB and Maryland Tax Court sources for final account-specific actions.
Bottom Line
For Anne Arundel property tax, use the county for bills, payments, due dates, refunds and tax-sale issues. Use SDAT for assessment, ownership, mailing address, Homestead status and assessment appeals. Pay by September 30 unless you are using the eligible semiannual schedule.
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