Isabelle Tax Credit Information

Senate Bill 199, commonly called the "Isabelle credit" was passed in the 2005 legislative session and became effective June 1, 2005 , for tax years beginning after June 30, 2005 . The new law requires the county and municipalities to grant a real property tax credit to certain property owners that repaired or reconstructed their property because of damage or destruction caused by a natural disaster. 
 
Generally speaking, in order to qualify, the property owner must meet the following criteria:

• Must have been his / her / their principal residence at the time of the disaster and at the time of the repair or reconstruction. 
• Must have a legal interest in the property at the time of the disaster and at the time of the repair or reconstruction. 
• Repair or reconstruction of a dwelling that was damaged or destroyed by natural disaster must have occurred between September 18, 2003 , and December 31, 2006 . 
• The property must have been reassessed following the repair or reconstruction and the new assessment must exceed the assessment prior to the damage or destruction. 

Not limited to damage from Isabelle; can be any natural disaster. 

For five years, the credit shall equal 100% of the property tax attributable to the increase in assessment, including improvements, attributable to the repair or reconstruction of property damaged or destroyed by natural disaster less any Homestead credit which has been authorized. After five years, the property owner is then eligible for a 50% credit for an additional three years.

Applications are available through our website or in the Treasurer's Office. In the near future, we hope to have them available at some town halls. Should you have any questions or wish to have an application mailed to you, please contact us at 410-996-5385 or via email at sdondero@ccgov.org.