EASTON, MARYLAND — Deadline first: Oct. 1, 2026. That is the filing deadline printed on Maryland’s 2026 Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit Application (HTC-1) and repeated on the State Department of Assessments and Taxation Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit Program page. The credit is not automatic — each household must apply and disclose income. SDAT says it is to a filer’s advantage to submit by April 15 so any credit due can be deducted from the initial July tax bill; applications after April 15 through Oct. 1, if approved, show up on a revised bill. Talbot County’s code on the form is 21.

Before income math, SDAT lists four basics: own or hold a legal interest in the property; use it as principal residence at least six months of the year including July 1 (with limited health/special-care and recent-purchaser exceptions); net worth under $200,000 excluding the subject dwelling and qualified retirement savings/IRAs; combined gross household income not over $60,000. “Income” here means combined gross before deductions, including nontaxable Social Security and Railroad Retirement, for the homeowner, spouse, and other adult occupants who are not dependents and not paying rent or room and board.

Online filing is offered through Maryland’s tax-credit portal (taxcredits.sdat.maryland.gov) and OneStop; a paper 2026 PDF is posted for mail to SDAT Homeowners’ Tax Credit Program, P.O. Box 49005, Baltimore, MD 21297. SDAT says applications sent by email are not accepted under state data-security rules. Program questions: 410-767-4433 or toll-free 1-800-944-7403.