How to Pay Maryland State Taxes and What Happens If You Don't
Where Maryland taxes go and how they move
Maryland collects state income tax, sales tax, and property tax. Income tax and sales tax flow to the state comptroller's office in Annapolis. Property tax goes to your county assessor and is collected by your county treasurer—the same office that sends you the bill. Each system has its own payment methods, deadlines, and consequences for late payment, and they do not talk to each other.
Most people pay Maryland income tax through payroll withholding—your employer sends it directly to the state before you see your paycheck. If you owe additional tax at filing time, or if you are self-employed, you pay the Maryland Department of Revenue. Sales tax is collected by the retailer at the point of sale and remitted by them, not by you. Property tax is your direct responsibility to your county.
Understanding which tax goes where matters because the payment method, the deadline, and the penalty for missing it are different for each one. A late property tax payment triggers a lien on your home. A late income tax payment triggers interest and penalties but not immediately a lien. Missing a sales tax payment is not your problem unless you are the business collecting it.
Key Takeaways
- Maryland income tax is due April 15 each year; you can pay online through the Department of Revenue website, by mail, or through your bank's bill pay system.
- Property tax is due July 1 and December 31 each year in most Maryland counties; payment goes to your county treasurer, not the state.
- If you cannot pay by the deadline, contact your county treasurer (for property tax) or the Department of Revenue (for income tax) before the date is past—payment plans and hardship deferrals exist but only if you ask.
- Late income tax payments accrue interest at 8 percent per year plus penalties; late property tax payments trigger a lien against your home and can lead to foreclosure if unpaid for years.
- The Maryland Department of Revenue's website shows your account balance and payment history if you create a login; your county treasurer's website usually shows property tax due dates and amounts.
How to pay Maryland income tax
Income tax is due April 15 each year. The Maryland Department of Revenue accepts payment through three main routes: online through their website at marylandtaxes.gov, by mail to the address on your tax form, or through your bank's bill pay system. Online payment is fastest and shows confirmation immediately. Mail takes 7 to 10 business days to reach the state, so if you mail a check, send it by April 8 to be safe.
To pay online, go to marylandtaxes.gov, select "Pay a Tax Bill," and follow the prompts. You will need your Social Security number or federal employer identification number, your tax year, and the amount you owe. The site accepts debit cards, credit cards, and ACH transfers from a bank account. Credit card payments charge a convenience fee (usually 2 to 3 percent); ACH transfers and debit cards do not. If you pay by ACH, the money leaves your account within one business day.
If you cannot pay the full amount by April 15, you can still file your return on time and request a payment plan. The Department of Revenue offers short-term plans (up to 120 days) with no setup fee and long-term plans (up to 24 months) with a small fee. To request a plan, call 410-260-7980 or submit the request through your online account. Interest and penalties continue to accrue while you pay, but a plan stops the state from taking collection action.
How to pay Maryland property tax
Property tax is due twice a year: July 1 and December 31. Your county treasurer collects it, not the state. The bill comes from your county assessor's office, and payment goes to your county treasurer. Each county has its own website and payment system, so the process varies slightly depending on where you live. Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, and Montgomery County all have online payment portals; smaller counties may require mail or in-person payment.
To find your county treasurer's office and payment options, search "[Your County] Maryland treasurer" or "[Your County] property tax payment." Most county websites show your bill amount, due date, and payment methods. You can usually pay online with a debit or credit card, by mail, by phone, or in person at the treasurer's office. Online payment is fastest and shows confirmation immediately. Mail should be sent by June 24 (for July 1) or December 24 (for December 31) to arrive on time.
If you miss the deadline, your bill becomes delinquent. The county adds interest (usually 8 percent per year) and may add penalties. If property tax remains unpaid for a full year, the county can file a tax lien against your home. A lien does not force a sale immediately, but it clouds your title and makes it hard to refinance or sell. If tax remains unpaid for three years or more, the county can foreclose and sell your home to recover the debt.
What happens when you pay late
Late income tax payments trigger interest at 8 percent per year, calculated from the due date. The state also charges a failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5 percent of the unpaid tax per month, up to 25 percent total. If you owe $1,000 and pay it six months late, you owe roughly $40 in interest plus $30 in penalties. These amounts are added to your bill automatically; you do not have to do anything to incur them.
Late property tax payments also trigger 8 percent annual interest, plus penalties that vary by county. Some counties charge a flat fee for late payment; others charge a percentage. The key difference is that property tax liens attach to your home, while income tax liens attach to your bank accounts and wages. If property tax stays unpaid, the county can eventually sell your home. If income tax stays unpaid, the state can garnish your paycheck or intercept a tax refund, but foreclosure is not an option.
If you are unable to pay by the deadline, contact the relevant office before the date passes. The Maryland Department of Revenue can set up a payment plan for income tax. Your county treasurer may offer a payment plan for property tax, though this varies by county. Some counties also offer hardship deferrals if you are over 65, disabled, or experiencing financial hardship. These options only exist if you ask—the state and county will not offer them automatically.
How to check what you owe
For income tax, create an account on marylandtaxes.gov using your Social Security number. Once logged in, you can see your account balance, payment history, and any notices the state has sent you. The site updates within one business day of a payment. If you have questions about your balance or need to dispute an amount, call the Department of Revenue at 410-260-7980.
For property tax, go to your county treasurer's website and search for your property by address or parcel number. Most counties show the bill amount, due dates, and payment history online. If the website does not have a search tool, call your county treasurer's office directly. They can tell you the amount due, the due date, and whether any penalties or interest have been added.
Payment plans and hardship options
If you owe income tax and cannot pay in full, the Maryland Department of Revenue offers two types of payment plans. A short-term plan covers up to 120 days with no setup fee. A long-term plan covers up to 24 months and charges a small fee (usually $25 to $50). To request a plan, log into your account on marylandtaxes.gov, call 410-260-7980, or mail a written request to the address on your bill. The state will respond within 10 business days.
For property tax, contact your county treasurer's office. Some counties offer payment plans automatically; others require you to request one. A few counties offer hardship deferrals if you are over 65, disabled, or experiencing a documented financial hardship. Deferrals pause the accrual of interest and penalties for a set period, usually one to three years. After the deferral ends, the full amount becomes due. These programs are not available in every county, so ask your treasurer what options exist.
If you are struggling with property tax and your county does not offer a deferral, look into the Maryland Property Tax Credit. This is a state program that reduces property tax for low-income homeowners. You must meet income limits and own your home. The credit is not a payment plan—it reduces the amount you owe going forward. To learn whether you may be may be able to access, contact your county assessor's office or call the Department of Revenue at 410-260-7980.
ACH transfers and automatic payments
An ACH transfer is an electronic movement of money from your bank account to a government account. It is free, secure, and takes one to two business days. To set up an ACH payment for Maryland income tax, go to marylandtaxes.gov, select "Pay a Tax Bill," and choose ACH as your payment method. You will need your bank account number and routing number. The money leaves your account within one business day and reaches the state within two.
You can also set up automatic payments through your bank's bill pay system. Log into your bank's website, select "Pay Bills," and add the Maryland Department of Revenue or your county treasurer as a payee. You can schedule a one-time payment or a recurring payment on a date you choose. Recurring payments are useful if you want to pay property tax automatically on the due date each year. Your bank will send the payment by check or ACH, depending on the payee and your bank's system.
Automatic payments do not stop interest or penalties if you miss a deadline. They only work if you set them up before the due date. If you set up an automatic payment for April 15 but the payment does not leave your account until April 16, you are still late. To be safe, schedule automatic payments for three to five business days before the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay Maryland taxes with a credit card?
Yes, but only for income tax through marylandtaxes.gov. Credit card payments charge a convenience fee of 2 to 3 percent. For property tax, most counties accept credit cards online, but some charge a fee. Check your county treasurer's website to see whether a fee applies. Using a debit card or ACH transfer avoids the fee.
What if I move out of Maryland after filing a return?
You still owe Maryland income tax on income earned while you lived in the state. If you move and do not pay, the state can pursue collection through your new state's tax system or by garnishing your wages if you work for a Maryland employer. File a final return and pay any amount due before you leave to avoid complications.
Do I have to pay property tax if I rent instead of own?
No. Renters do not pay property tax directly. The landlord pays it, and the cost is usually built into the rent. If you own your home, you are responsible for property tax even if you have a mortgage. Your lender may collect it as part of your escrow account, but you remain liable if it is not paid.
What if I disagree with the amount of property tax I owe?
Contact your county assessor's office to request a reassessment of your home's value. You can also file a formal appeal, usually called an "assessment appeal" or "tax appeal." The deadline to file an appeal varies by county but is typically 30 days after you receive your bill. Your county assessor's office can tell you the deadline and the process for your county.
Can the state take my tax refund if I owe back taxes?
Yes. If you owe Maryland income tax or property tax and do not pay, the state can intercept your federal or state tax refund to cover the debt. The state will notify you before this happens. If you expect a refund and know you owe back taxes, contact the Department of Revenue or your county treasurer to set up a payment plan before filing your return.