Real Property Taxes

The Treasurer's Office maintains all tax accounts for real property located in Cecil County including billing, processing additions, abatements, transfers, address changes, tax liens, and conducts tax sale each year.

• Full year property tax bills are mailed July 1 of each year.  If you do not receive a bill, please contact our office immediately.  Failure to receive a bill does not relieve you of your tax liability.  New Construction tax bills (for properties that have had improvements such as new buildings) are generally mailed in January of each year.
  
  
• Owners of properties designated as "principal residence" are now required (starting July 2000) to pay real property taxes in two (2) installments.  The first installment is due by September 30 of each year, and the second installment (including applicable service charge, if any) is due December 31 of each tax year.  You may choose to pay annually.  Contact us at (410) 996-5385 or email sdondero@ccgov.org for more information.
  
  
• Payment may be made at the Treasurer's Office, through the lock box service by using the return envelope included with your bill, at most local banks, or via the internet (click here).  In order to mail payments, please make checks payable and mail to Cecil County Treasurer, 200 Chesapeake Blvd., Suite 1100, Elkton, MD  21921.
  
  
• The law requires us to send tax bills directly to the property owner.  If your property taxes are put in escrow by your mortgage company, please be sure your mortgage company receives a copy of the bill.  Copies of the bills are available to the mortgage companies electronically.
  
  
• If you own property in Cecil County, please notify our office of any address changes.  Include your property number if available.
  
  
• A property Tax Credit Program is available to residential homeowners who meet certain requirements.  There are also exemptions available to certain disabled people.  For further information, please contact the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (410-996-2760).
  
  
• The State Department of Assessments and Taxation determines the taxable assessment of your real property.  Effective July 1, 2001, the taxable assessment will be the full cash value (determined by the Assessor's Office).  It is important to verify any assessment notice(s) received from SDAT for accuracy as soon as they arrive as there is only a limited time to appeal.  For more information, please call 410-996-2760.
  
  
• Tax rates are set by the Board of County Commissioners 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 costly and inconvenient situation.