Anne Arundel Conservation Land Tax Credit Application PDF

The Conservation Land Real Property Tax Credit Application is the Anne Arundel County form for requesting a credit against County real property taxes levied on conservation land, meaning land used to preserve a natural area or promote conservation.

The county describes the credit as a reduction of County real property taxes on conservation land that is used to assist in the preservation of a natural area, for the environmental education of the public, generally to promote conservation, or for the maintenance of a natural area for public use or a sanctuary for wildlife. The Anne Arundel County Office of Finance lists the application with its other local property tax credit applications on its tax credits and exemptions page.

A County credit lowers your liability for County property taxes by an amount based on the section of the County Code that authorizes it. That liability rests on the value assessed by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation and on the County property tax rate set each tax year through the budget process. A credit cannot exceed what you actually owe in County property taxes; if your liability is smaller than the maximum credit, the credit reduces it to zero.

The county also lists a separate Conservation Land Real Property Tax Credit Application (For Renewal Only). Credits do not apply to the Solid Waste service charge, the Waterway Protection and Restoration Fund (WPRF) fee, State of Maryland property taxes or City of Annapolis property taxes.

Owners of real property in Anne Arundel County whose land is used for conservation purposes use this application to ask for the credit. The county describes qualifying use as assisting in the preservation of a natural area, environmental education of the public, generally promoting conservation, or maintaining a natural area for public use or a sanctuary for wildlife.

Points that affect whether this is the right form:

• The county publishes a separate application marked For Renewal Only. Check which version fits your situation before you start.
• The credit applies only to Anne Arundel County property taxes. It does not reduce State of Maryland or City of Annapolis property taxes, the Solid Waste service charge or the WPRF fee.
• Some County credits cannot be combined with others, and the Homestead Property Tax Credit can change how other credits apply. The county says to review each application and the County Code for any such restriction.
• If a mortgage company pays your property taxes through escrow, contact it to learn how the credit affects your escrow.

The county's page does not name who may sign on an owner's behalf; follow the instructions printed on the application.

Each County property tax credit has its own deadline, set in the County Code that authorizes it and printed on the corresponding application. Your Conservation Land application must be received by the date on the application to be considered timely.

The Office of Finance states that it has no authority to waive or extend these deadlines, so a late application is not considered on the strength of a hardship. If you mail the application less than 14 days before the deadline, the county suggests a traceable form of delivery, because it is not responsible for mail delays.

For context on tax bills: you may pay the full annual County property tax bill by September 30, or, for a primary residence, pay semi-annually by September 30 and December 31. A credit changes the amount you owe, not those dates. The county's page gives no processing time for credit applications.

Send the completed application to the Anne Arundel County Office of Finance, and confirm receipt by phone if needed.

• By mail or delivery to the office: Anne Arundel County Office of Finance, 44 Calvert Street, Room 110, Annapolis, MD 21401. The office is open 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. The deadline is a receipt deadline, so allow for mail time and use a traceable form of delivery if you mail it less than 14 days before the deadline.
• Confirmation: the county may email a confirmation of receipt as a courtesy if you give an email address on the application. If you receive none, call the Tax Credit Department at (410) 222-1748.
• Status: once approved, the county sends a letter or an email. You can also call (410) 222-1748 to ask about status. If the application is incomplete or raises questions, the county contacts you.

If you have already paid your property taxes and later receive a credit, the county processes the refund of the overpayment automatically; you do not request it. Check the application itself for any other channel it names. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the county's channels above.