Baltimore Mayor Announces Property Tax Relief Initiatives

New programs aim to lower residential property tax bills through tax credits and enrollment campaigns.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced two major initiatives on Monday to help lower property tax bills for city residents. The plans include adjusting the Homestead Tax Credit, expanding the Targeted Homeowners Tax Credit, and boosting enrollment in state homeowner and renter tax credit programs.

Why it matters

High property taxes have been a longstanding challenge for many Baltimore homeowners, making it difficult for residents to afford living in the city as it undergoes a renaissance. These new initiatives are aimed at providing direct financial relief to help make housing more affordable for Baltimore's growing population of homeowners.

The details

The three parts of Mayor Scott's property tax relief strategy include: 1) Adjusting the Homestead Tax Credit, which will be introduced in the City Council this month to take effect for the FY 2027 tax season; 2) Expanding the Targeted Homeowners Tax Credit, which will be presented to the Board of Estimates for approval with the FY 2027 budget; and 3) Boosting enrollment in the State Homeowners' Property Tax Credit and Renter's Tax Credit through an ongoing city outreach campaign.

  • The Homestead Tax Credit adjustment legislation will be introduced at the February 9, 2026 City Council meeting.
  • The Targeted Homeowners Tax Credit expansion will be presented to the Board of Estimates for approval with the FY 2027 budget.

The players

Brandon Scott

The Mayor of Baltimore who announced the new property tax relief initiatives.

Maryland Legal Aid

The organization that settled with the city over the tax auction sale process.

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What they’re saying

“Our city's renaissance is here, which means more people than ever want to buy a home and put down roots in Baltimore. We know that our property tax rate can be a challenge for homeowners, which is why — in addition to our broader housing affordability investments — we're announcing this strategy to bring the effective property tax rate for residential homeowners below $2.00 this year.”

— Brandon Scott, Mayor of Baltimore (wbal.com)

What’s next

The Homestead Tax Credit adjustment legislation will be introduced at the February 9, 2026 City Council meeting, and the Targeted Homeowners Tax Credit expansion will be presented to the Board of Estimates for approval with the FY 2027 budget.

The takeaway

These new property tax relief initiatives from Mayor Scott demonstrate Baltimore's commitment to making housing more affordable for residents as the city continues to experience growth and development. By lowering the effective property tax rate, the city aims to ensure that long-time homeowners can continue to afford living in Baltimore.