The Cecil County Finance 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. Please note that the real property tax bills include the Town taxes, if applicable.

Property owners will receive either an Annual Property Tax bill or a Semi-Annual Property Tax bill.

• Annual property tax bills are mailed in July of each year. The bill is due in July, and is payable during the month of July, August or September without interest. This bill becomes delinquent on October 1st and is subject to interest at the rate of 1% per month until paid. Interest and penalties are calculated on the net amount of the bill after any credit is applied. If a discount is offered by the County or municipality, the discount will be reflected in the payment schedule shown on the front of the bill.
• Semi-Annual tax bills are mailed in July of each year to those that qualify for semi-annual payment. In order to qualify for semi-annual payment the property must be owner occupied property used as the property owner's principal place of residence (see Homestead Credit). In addition, some commercial properties qualify for semi-annual payment. The first installment is due in July, and is payable during the month of July, August or September without interest. The first installment becomes delinquent October 1st and is subject to interest at the rate of 1% per month until paid. If a discount is offered by the County or municipality, the discount will be reflected in the payment schedule shown on the front of the bill. Please note that there are two (2) coupons with this bill: the first (bottom) coupon is the first installment amount due by 9/30 and the second (middle) coupon is the second half  amount due by 12/31.  The total annual amount is indicated at the top and may be paid at any time before 9/30 by sending in both coupons and the total dollar amount owed.  You may choose to pay your bill in full by paying the annual amount or you may choose to pay only the 1st semi-annual payment should you have this option.
• Please be sure to send the appropriate coupon with your payment. Payments may be made by cash, check, money order or certain debit/credit cards. Note that there is a third party convenience/transaction fee when paying via e-check or debit/credit card.
• If you do not receive a bill, please contact our office immediately or you may view your tax bill via our on-line website. Failure to receive a bill does not relieve you of your tax liability.
• To view or pay your real property tax bill online.
• You may pay your total tax bill at any time; applicable interest, penalties or discount (if offered) will be calculated according to payment date. On March 1st, a 3% late fee will be assessed on the total of any outstanding amount due. Effective on or after May 1st of each year, taxes must be paid by cash, cashier's check, certified check, money order or certain credit cards. Note that there is a third party convenience/transaction fee when paying via credit card. Properties are subject to sale for delinquent taxes if they remain unpaid at the time of the annual tax sale held in June each year.
• In order to mail payments, please make checks payable and mail to Cecil County, 200 Chesapeake Blvd., Suite 1100, Elkton, MD 21921. Payment may be made at the Cecil County Finance Office or via the internet (click here). Note that there is a third party convenience/transaction fee when paying on our website.
• 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 you forward a copy of the tax bill to your mortgage company. Copies of the bills are available to the mortgage companies electronically.
• 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 at 410-996-2760 or email at sdat.cec@maryland.gov.
• 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 there is only a limited time to appeal. For more information, please call 410-996-2760 or go to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.
• Tax rates are set by the County Council 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. Please contact tax@ccgov.org for current tax rates.
• 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.
• HALF YEAR NEW CONSTRUCTION BILLS - A half-year new construction bill is a one-time charge for new construction or other construction projects such as additions, garages and/or swimming pools. The construction was substantially completed after the July billing and August supplemental bills, and before January 1. This bill is assessed in January and is for 6 months (a half-year) taxes on the assessment increase due to the completion or substantial completion of your project. In subsequent years, the house and lot would be combined on the July bill.
  Please note that mortgage escrow companies do not request copies of half year new construction bills and normally do not pay them. It is up to the property owner to pay this bill or to contact their mortgage company regarding this bill. Every year we have properties included in our tax sale because the property owners assumed their mortgage company paid this bill.
• Returned Check Notice (Dishonored Check): In accordance with Maryland Annotated Code Commercial Law Article § 15-802 and Maryland Annotated Code Criminal Law Article § 8-106 and § 8-107, Cecil County charges a $35.00 collection fee for any dishonored check. The County also reserves all other rights and/or remedies afforded under the aforementioned articles.
• What is the Bay Restoration Fee on my property tax bill?

Mailing Address Changes

In order to have your mailing address changed, please complete the change of address request form and forward to our office:

• Change of Address Request: Property Tax Bill
• Change of Address Request: Sewer Bill

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