This renewal application is the form the Anne Arundel County Office of Finance uses to continue an existing Conservation Land Property Tax Credit, one of the Anne Arundel County property tax credit programs. It is for owners whose land is subject to a perpetual conservation easement and whose credit was already approved; the form says not to use it for a first-time application. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF. The County publishes the form at aacounty.org and receives it by email or mail.
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What is Anne Arundel Conservation Land Tax Credit Renewal Form?
The Conservation Land Property Tax Credit Renewal Application is the Anne Arundel County Office of Finance form that property owners complete to continue an existing credit against County real property taxes on conservation land. It is not used for a first-time credit.
The credit comes from County Code § 4-2-308, a copy of which is included with the application and is the basis for deciding whether the requirements are met. Under that section, "conservation land" is real property subject to a perpetual conservation easement donated to a land trust on or after July 1, 1991, or property acquired and held in fee by a land trust on or after that date and subject to a letter of intent, agreement or option agreement for resale to a government agency. The credit is calculated on the total taxable assessment of the land, not including improvements, and is granted for five taxable years after approval.
The form asks for the owner and property details, the current primary use and improvements, and four yes/no statements about the easement, the property's conservation use, any additional consideration received, and whether Part B is included. Part B is completed by the Land Trust. The County's tax credit page lists this PDF as Conservation Land Real Property Tax Credit Application (For Renewal Only), next to the first-time Conservation Land Real Property Tax Credit Application.
Who needs to file Anne Arundel Conservation Land Tax Credit Renewal Form?
Owners of property that already receives the Conservation Land Property Tax Credit use this form to renew it. A separate renewal application must be completed for each property tax account number.
- Property owners: the applicant or applicants sign and date the certification and the declaration under penalties of perjury. The form has two applicant signature lines.
- Land trusts: a Land Trust representative completes and signs Part B, which is part of the owner's package. The owner states on the form whether Part B is included.
Do not use this application if you are applying for the Conservation Land Property Tax Credit for the first time; the form says so in its opening notice. The property must still meet the definition of "conservation land" and remain subject to a perpetual conservation easement. The form warns that if the easement ends, the property stops meeting the definition, or the land trust sells it to someone other than a governmental agency, the owner becomes liable for the property taxes the credit had covered, plus interest and penalties computed under § 4-1-103 of the Anne Arundel County Code.
When to file Anne Arundel Conservation Land Tax Credit Renewal Form
The renewal application must be received on or before June 1 immediately before the taxable year for which the credit is sought. The version of the form provided here sets June 1, 2027, for the taxable year beginning July 1, 2027 and ending June 30, 2028.
If the application is filed after June 1, County Code § 4-2-308(c) says the credit is disallowed for that year and the application is treated as one for the next succeeding taxable year. The County's tax credit page adds that deadlines are set in County Code and the office has no authority to waive or extend them.
Once approved, the credit applies for five taxable years, so renewal comes up again after that period. The County sends written notification when it approves or denies a completed application.
Documents you need
- Part B of the application, completed and signed by the Land Trust representative; the form asks you to state whether it is included.
- IRS verification of the land trust's qualification, attached with Part B.
- A copy of the cooperative agreement, attached with Part B.
- Proof that the property meets the definition of "conservation land" and the other requirements of § 4-2-308, which the Code says must accompany an application for continuation of the credit.
- Any other supporting documentation the form asks you to submit with the application.
How to fill out Anne Arundel Conservation Land Tax Credit Renewal Form
Confirm this is a renewal
Read the notice at the top. Use this form only to renew an existing credit, with one application for each property tax account number.
Enter owner and property details
Write the name(s) of the property owner(s), the property address, city, state and zip code. Enter the Parcel ID# as District/Subdivision/Account Number.
Add contact information
Enter the primary and secondary telephone numbers and the email address. If the mailing address is different from the property address, fill in the mailing address, city, state and zip code.
Select the current primary use
Check only one: Residential, Agricultural, Vacant/Unimproved or Other. If you choose Other, specify the use on the line provided.
Describe current improvements
List every improvement on the property, including all structures such as homes, garages, sheds and barns.
Answer the easement and use questions
Check Yes or No on whether the property is still subject to the same perpetual conservation easement, is still used for the conservation purposes described, and whether you received additional consideration since the credit was approved.
Confirm Part B is included
Check Yes or No on whether you included Part B, completed by the Land Trust. The Land Trust names itself, answers its questions and signs and dates the declaration with its printed name and title.
Attach Land Trust documents
Attach the IRS verification of qualification and a copy of the cooperative agreement, as Part B instructs, plus any other supporting documentation.
Read the certification and sign
Read County Code § 4-2-308, then sign and date on the Applicant line. A second Applicant line is provided for a second owner.
Review and download the PDF
Check that every statement is answered and the account number matches your tax bill. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and send it as described under How to submit.
How to submit Anne Arundel Conservation Land Tax Credit Renewal Form
You can submit the application by email or by mail.
- Email: send the application and all supporting documentation to [email protected].
- Mail: Anne Arundel County, Office of Finance, Attn: Tax Credits, 44 Calvert Street, Room 110, Annapolis, MD 21401.
The form asks you to include Part B, completed by the Land Trust, and all supporting documentation. If you mail the application less than 14 days before the deadline, the County suggests a traceable form of delivery, and it is not responsible for delays in mail delivery. If you give an email address on the application, the office may confirm receipt by email as a courtesy; if you get no confirmation, call the Tax Credit Department at (410) 222-1748 (Hearing/Speech Impaired 711). The Office of Finance is open 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the County channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using this renewal form for a first-time Conservation Land Property Tax Credit; the form says not to.
- Listing several properties on one application when a separate renewal application is required for each property tax account number.
- Sending the application after June 1; it is then treated as an application for the next taxable year and the credit is disallowed for the year you wanted.
- Leaving out Part B or the Land Trust's signature, or answering that Part B is included when it is not attached.
- Omitting the IRS verification of qualification and the cooperative agreement that Part B asks you to attach.
- Checking more than one box for Current Primary Use of the Property; the form says to select only one.
- Completing the form in pencil or leaving signatures and dates blank; the form says to type or print using ink only, and the declaration is made under penalties of perjury.
- Mailing close to the deadline by untracked mail; the County is not responsible for mail delays.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Conservation Land Property Tax Credit renewal application?
It is the Anne Arundel County Office of Finance form used to continue an existing credit against County real property taxes on conservation land. The credit is granted for five taxable years after approval, under County Code § 4-2-308.
Can I use this form for my first conservation land tax credit application?
No. The form states that it is only for renewing an existing Conservation Land Property Tax Credit. For a first-time credit, the County's tax credit page lists a separate Conservation Land Real Property Tax Credit Application.
What is the deadline for the conservation land credit renewal?
The application must be received on or before June 1 before the taxable year you want the credit for. This form sets June 1, 2027, for the taxable year July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028. The County cannot waive or extend the deadline.
What happens if I file the renewal after June 1?
The credit is disallowed for that year, and the application is treated as one for the next succeeding taxable year, according to County Code § 4-2-308(c) and the form's certification.
Where do I send the conservation land tax credit renewal?
Email it with supporting documentation to [email protected], or mail it to Anne Arundel County, Office of Finance, Attn: Tax Credits, 44 Calvert Street, Room 110, Annapolis, MD 21401. Questions go to (410) 222-1748.
Does this credit reduce my Anne Arundel County property tax bill?
Yes, it reduces your liability for County real property taxes on the conservation land, but never below $0. County credits do not apply to the Solid Waste service charge, the WPRF fee, State of Maryland property taxes or City of Annapolis property taxes.
What is Part B of the renewal application?
Part B is completed by the Land Trust. It confirms the easement is unchanged, that the trust is a qualified organization and that the land is still used for conservation. Attach the IRS verification of qualification and a copy of the cooperative agreement.
What happens if the conservation easement ends?
The owner becomes liable for all property taxes that would have been owed without the credit, plus interest and penalties computed under § 4-1-103 of the County Code. The same applies if the property no longer meets the definition or the land trust sells it to someone other than a governmental agency.
How will I know whether my renewal was approved?
The County sends written notification when a completed application is approved or denied. You can also call (410) 222-1748 to ask about its status; the County contacts you if the application is incomplete.
Can I fill out the conservation land renewal application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of Anne Arundel County and does not submit the application; you send it to the Office of Finance by email or mail.
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