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Charles County Govt

Geocaching Passport

ImageCharles County Economic Development & Tourism Department is a participating location to pick up the new Maryland Municipal League (MML) Geocaching Passport at the La Plata Town Hall.

Commemorative Items

ImageBeautiful Charles County commemorative items are currently available for sale in the County Commissioners' Office while supplies last.

Your Taxes


Real Property

Property Tax inquiry and convenient online payments are now available for property taxes.

  • This office maintains all tax accounts for real property including billing, processing additions, abatements, transfers, address changes, tax liens, and conducting the tax sale each year.
  • Full year real property bills are mailed July 1 of each year. If you do not receive one, please contact our office immediately. New construction tax bills (for additional taxes after improvements are made to a property) are generally mailed in October (3/4 year), January (1/2 year), and April (1/4 year) of each year.
  • Owners of properties designated as "principal residence" are now eligible to pay real property taxes in two semiannual installments. The first installment is due by September 30 of each tax year, and the second installment (including applicable service charge) is due December 1 of each tax year.
  • If your property taxes are put in escrow by your mortgage company, please forward all bills to them. Also, check your escrow analysis statement to verify your taxes have been paid by your mortgage company.
  • If you own property in Charles County, please notify our office of any address changes. Include your property number if available.
  • The State Department of Assessments and Taxation determines the taxable assessment of your real property. It is important to verify any assessment notices received from the SDAT for accuracy. Assessments may be appealed. For more information please call 301-932-2440.
  • Tax rates are set each fiscal year. The rates are based on $100 of assessed value (taxable assessment). Taxes are calculated by dividing the taxable assessment by $100 and then multiplying by the tax rate.
  • Properties with delinquent real estate taxes may be sold at Tax Sale each year. Please pay your taxes in a timely manner to avoid this situation.

Personal Property

Property Tax inquiry and convenient online payment are now available for property taxes.

  • This office maintains all tax accounts for personal property including billing, processing additions, abatements, address changes, and tax liens.
  • Personal property tax bills are mailed throughout the taxable year (July - June), depending on when the personal property tax returns were filed by a business. For any taxable year, the taxes billed are based on personal property located in Maryland as of January 1 of that same year.
  • Personal property tax is an annual tax on business-owned personal property. Personal property generally includes furniture, fixtures, office and industrial equipment, machinery, tools, supplies, inventory, and any other property not classified as real property. Most businesses must file a personal property tax return with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) each year. If you are unsure whether you are required to file, please contact the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.
  • The SDAT determines the taxable assessment (assessed value) of your personal property based on the original cost less an annual depreciation allowance. It is important to verify any assessment notices received from the SDAT for accuracy. Assessments may be appealed.
  • Tax rates are set each fiscal year. The rates are based on $100 of assessed value (taxable assessment). Taxes are calculated by dividing the taxable assessment by $100 and then multiplying by the tax rate.
  • For questions regarding the personal property tax return, your assessment, business closings, and other related issues, please contact the State Department of Assessments and Taxation in Baltimore at 410-767-1170 (for corporations, LLC's, LLP's and limited partnerships) or 410-767-4991 (for sole proprietors and general partnerships).

Charles County Tax Sale ONLINE

The 2009 Charles County Tax Sale will be held online at www.charlescountytaxsale.com

  • The website will be available beginning Wednesday, April 15, 2009 to preview properties and to register to bid.
  • Pre-registration is required of Bidders as well as a $100.00 non-refundable Registration Fee payable via ACH Debit Authorization.
  • Bidder Registration ends on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
  • Bidding begins on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. and ends on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 12:00 p.m.
  • For additional tax sale information, please refer to the website and/or contact our office.
Contact
Charles County Government
TREASURER'S OFFICE

Physical Location
200 Baltimore Street
La Plata, Maryland 20646

Contact Info &
Driving Directions

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 2607
La Plata, Maryland 20646

Email Treasurer

Phone
301-645-0685
301-645-0686
301-870-2249

Maryland Relay Service
711

Relay Service TDD
1-800-735-2258

Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Service Center
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