Councilmember Deb Jung Files Legislation to Lift Five-Year Limit on Tax Credit to Help Seniors Age in Place

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: China Williams, 410-313-2001
ccwilliams@howardcountymd.gov

Councilmember Deb Jung Files Legislation to Lift Five-Year Limit on Tax Credit to Help Seniors Age in Place

Ellicott City, MD (August 4, 2022) – Councilmember Deb Jung will be introducing legislation (CB52-2022) that will remove the five-year limit on the property tax credit designed to help the County’s senior residents stay in their homes. The Councilmember’s bill will also increase the maximum assessed value of the home that is eligible for the credit. This legislation addresses serious shortcomings of the aging-in-place tax credit, which had duration limits imposed by the State.

“I am so pleased that we are able to expand the very necessary assistance to those who have supported our County for so many years as taxpaying residents. I have heard from many seniors that they depend on this credit but due to the five-year limit their tax bill would increase without an increase in their income. Thankfully this bill allows qualifying seniors to continue to contribute to Howard County, which is one of the best places to live in the Country. This bill recognizes their commitment to our community,” said Councilmember Deb Jung.

In 2022 the General Assembly passed enabling legislation that removed many of the limits on the Property Tax Credit for Elderly Individuals and Veterans that prohibited Maryland jurisdictions from adjusting this credit to meet the needs of their residents.

If approved, CB52-2022 will provide a 20% tax discount on up to $650,000 in assessed property value for individuals who are at least 65 years or older and have lived in their homes for 35 years or more. This tax discount will also apply to veterans and their surviving spouses who are 65 years or older. CB52-2022 also removes the five-year sunset provision and will be effective for the 2023 tax year.

CB52-2022 will be introduced at the Howard County Council’s September 6 legislative session after the August recess. The public will have an opportunity to testify on this bill on September 19. The Councilmembers will vote on the legislation on October 3.

To read CB52, visit https://apps.howardcountymd.gov/olis/PrefiledLegislation.aspx.