LEONARDTOWN, MD – The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County initiated discussions on January 13, 2026, to potentially expand senior property tax relief programs by lowering the eligibility age from 70 to 65 for two key initiatives, aiming to provide broader financial support to older residents amid rising property assessments. During their regular meeting, the board directed staff from the Department of Finance to analyze the fiscal impact of the changes, with results expected within weeks to inform budget deliberations for the upcoming fiscal year.
The proposal focuses on enhancing accessibility to tax credits for seniors on fixed incomes, who often face challenges from increasing property values in Southern Maryland. Commissioner Michael Hewitt emphasized the need for data-driven decisions, stating, “I’d like to see what the fiscal impact would be to us if the number, if the age was lowered to 65 for both of these credits.” Commissioner Eric Colvin supported the move, noting, “I think the consensus Commissioner president is to go to 65 and see what the impact is.” The board also considered sunsetting a third program, known as the 65/10 credit, due to low participation.
St. Mary’s County currently administers three senior-specific property tax credit programs, serving approximately 1,450 residents at an annual cost of about $800,000 to the county. The Homeowners Property Tax Credit Enhancement, which matches the state’s income-based relief for those aged 70 and older, assisted 1,300 individuals in fiscal year 2025 at a cost of $500,000. This program layers additional relief on top of Maryland’s statewide Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit, which has no age requirement but caps eligibility at a combined household income of $60,000 and calculates relief based on taxes exceeding a percentage of income—0% on the first $8,000, scaling up to 9% above $16,000.
The Senior Property Tax Cap Credit freezes county tax liability at the level from the year a resident turns 70 or first applies, benefiting 130 residents last year at $250,000. The 65/10 Credit offers a 10% reduction on county taxes for up to five years for those 65 and older who have owned their home for at least 40 years—or 10 years for military veterans—impacting just 20 people at $50,000 annually. Eligibility for all requires the property to be the principal residence, and applications are evaluated by the Treasurer’s Office to award the most beneficial credit.
These programs build on state initiatives like the Homestead Tax Credit, which caps annual assessment increases at 10% for principal residences in St. Mary’s County, helping mitigate sharp tax hikes from property value growth. The county’s efforts trace back to 2003, when the first senior credit was established, with the cap added in 2005 and the 65/10 in 2017. Recent state data shows Maryland’s property assessments rose by an average of 23.4% in 2025, driven by post-pandemic market trends, putting pressure on fixed-income households.
In Southern Maryland, similar relief varies by county. Calvert County offers a senior tax credit matching the state program for those 65 and older with incomes up to $90,000, while Charles County provides a 25% credit for residents 65+ who have lived in their home for 40 years. St. Mary’s County’s potential expansion could align more closely with these neighbors, potentially increasing participation by including the 65-69 age group, estimated at over 5,000 residents based on 2020 Census data adjusted for growth. Commissioner Eric Colvin highlighted the programs’ intent: “Historically, the 65/10 enabling legislation that came from the state was to help those citizens who have been in their home… They can’t afford those taxes any longer.”
The fiscal analysis will project costs for lowering the age threshold, with commissioners open to phased implementation if impacts exceed budget capacity. Applications for current credits are mailed in late February, and any changes would aim to integrate into the fiscal 2027 budget process. Treasurer Christine L. Kelly explained the state base: “The state expects a person making $20,000 to only pay $780 in property tax… The county addition offers additional property tax credit relief in the form of a match.”
This discussion reflects broader regional concerns about housing affordability in Southern Maryland, where median home values reached $425,000 in 2025, up 15% from 2023, per Maryland Realtors data. Expanding relief could offset these pressures for seniors, who comprise 18% of St. Mary’s population. The board plans to revisit the analysis in two weeks, potentially during budget work sessions.
Residents interested in current programs can apply via the county website or contact the Treasurer’s Office at 301-475-4200 ext. 3300.
