Personal Property Tax

Pay your Personal Property tax online, and review information about the Heavy Equipment Rental Gross Receipts tax.

Contact Us Finance Department

3430 Courthouse Drive
Ellicott City , MD 21043
United States

About

Incorporated and unincorporated businesses are charged a tax for furniture, fixtures, and equipment utilized in the operation of a business. Property is assessed by the State Department of Assessment and Taxation (SDAT) and forwarded to the County for billing. Most businesses must file a personal property tax return each year. If you are unsure whether you are required to file, please contact SDAT at 410-767-1170.

Recordation Tax

SDAT

Forms and online filing of returns are available on the SDAT Website.

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 SDAT for accuracy.

Mailing Personal Property Tax Bills

Personal Property tax bills are mailed throughout the taxable year (July – June), depending on when personal property tax returns were filed by a business. A bill mailed in July that is paid prior to August 1st receives a ½% discount on the County Tax. Personal Property taxes billed in July, August, or September are due September 30th. Personal Property taxes billed in any other month are due by the last day of the month. For any taxable year, the taxes billed are based on personal property located in Howard County as of January 1 of that same year.

Personal Property Fee Disclaimer

Govolution charges a convenience fee of $1.50 for e-check transactions, $3.95 for VISA Consumer Debit transactions, 2.45% for all other debit and credit card transactions for payments of Personal Property Taxes. These are automatically added during your transaction.

Due to bank and credit card processing times, please allow 3-5 business days for your transaction to process.

Payment by credit card does not give Howard County Government access to your credit card number. That information is retained strictly by Govolution. Govolution takes full advantage of internet security in the handling of your credit card information.

Additional Personal Property Tax Information

Tax Rates

expand and show content

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 Rates.

Levy Type Rate per $100 assessment
County Tax $ 2.61
Fire Tax-Metro $ 0.515

Assessment Questions

expand and show content

Questions regarding the personal property tax return, your assessment, business closings, and other related issues should be addressed to SDAT at 410-767-1170.

For questions regarding tax rates, due dates, interest charges, and payments, please contact Howard County Taxpayer Services by calling 410-313-1160 or via email.

What happens if I do not file?

expand and show content

Personal Property Tax Returns are due to the SDAT by April 15th each year. Extensions of the filing deadline up to 60 days can be granted if the requests are made on or before April 15th. Visit SDAT to file an extension.

A business which files an annual return after the due date of April 15 (June 15 for those with approved extensions), will be assessed penalties by the State of Maryland. Businesses which do not file a return are subject to an estimated assessment of up to twice the estimated value of the personal property owned.

What happens if I do not pay?

expand and show content

Delinquent taxes are subject to interest and penalty at the rate of 1.5% per month on all County taxes. Personal property taxes that are more than 90 days delinquent are turned over to the County Office of Law for collection. Howard County will pursue all legal means to collect taxes due. Business licenses will not be renewed for any business that fails to pay its Personal Property tax.

Business Licenses

expand and show content

Businesses which sell goods or merchandise within Howard County must obtain a business license from the Clerk of the Court. The Clerk of the Court can be reached at 410-313-2111.

Communities in Howard County

expand and show content

Often large corporations with sites in various states and counties, need to find out which of their business units are represented by the tax bill they have received. In an effort to make that process a little easier, the following are communities within Howard County:

Annapolis Junction Brookeville Clarksville
Columbia Cooksville Dayton
Elkridge Ellicott City Fulton
Glenelg Glenwood Hanover
Highland Jessup Laurel
Lisbon Marriottsville Savage
Sykesville West Friendship Woodbine

Heavy Equipment Rental Gross Receipts Tax

expand and show content

Please click here for more information, or call 410-313-2062 for assistance.

Copyright 2023 by Howard County, Maryland