Dishonored vet (Baltimore: credit, loan, homes)

[CINDYLOWE]

I am trying to understand the logic. I bought my home in Baltimore City with my savings through HUD. Paid my taxes faithfully every year. Now the SDAT is saying I should not have gotten the homestead credit for the past three years and have reassessed my taxes for those years and going forward. I now owe thousands in back taxes. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. Where can I find the rules on homestead credit so I can try to hang on to my home? I can not take out a loan because I am self-employed and work has been sporadic. I don't need a non-payment collection headache too.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by CINDYLOWE

Where can I find the rules on homestead credit so I can try to hang on to my home?

You should have applied for the tax credit every year, and you would need to state that it was your primary residence. They should have sent you a form to re-apply. If you never received a form or threw it away, perhaps you can make a written appeal to SDAT.

Start here for the rules: SDAT Homeowners Tax Credit

[cjmeck]

I believe this is what you are looking for... SDAT Homestead

[cjmeck]

Originally Posted by goldenage1

You should have applied for the tax credit every year, and you would need to state that it was your primary residence. They should have sent you a form to re-apply. If you never received a form or threw it away, perhaps you can make a written appeal to SDAT.

Start here for the rules: SDAT Homeowners Tax Credit

I think you and the OP might be talking about 2 different credits?? The Homestead Credit is not income restricted, just has to be your primary residence and its a one time application. The Homeowners Tax Credit that you posted is an income based program however that you do need to reapply yearly I believe.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by cjmeck

I think you and the OP might be talking about 2 different credits?? The Homestead Credit is not income restricted, just has to be your primary residence and its a one time application. The Homeowners Tax Credit that you posted is an income based program however that you do need to reapply yearly I believe.

Thanks. I was not clear about which one applied to the OP. I do remember from living in Baltimore that you had to apply for the Homestead Credit.

Can't the OP appeal to the SDAT people if it has been her primary residence?

[cjmeck]

Originally Posted by goldenage1

Thanks. I was not clear about which one applied to the OP. I do remember from living in Baltimore that you had to apply for the Homestead Credit.

Can't the OP appeal to the SDAT people if it has been her primary residence?

I'm not really sure which one OP is talking about either; why the names of the different programs are nearly identical is beyond me... And yes, OP should absolutely appeal if it is in fact her primary residence.

[picardlx]

OP may not have any grounds for appeal. In other states, such income-based programs require annual application to ensure your current income doesn’t disqualify you for the benefit. Once, I was able to appeal to the mercy of the agency (in another state) on behalf of a forgetful 80+ year-old, but I imagine that is the exception not the rule.