The Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Application is the form the Anne Arundel County Office of Finance uses to grant a one-time credit against County real property taxes on a home that uses a geothermal energy device. It is one of the Anne Arundel County property tax credit applications, and it must be received by June 1 to count for the taxable year that begins July 1. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form and its instructions are published by the County at aacounty.org.
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What is Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Application – Anne Arundel County, MD?
The Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Application (printed on the form as the Geothermal Energy Property Tax Credit Application) is the Anne Arundel County Office of Finance form that a homeowner completes to claim the County's one-time credit for a geothermal energy device.
Under County Code § 4-2-311, which is attached to the application and is the basis for deciding whether the requirements are met, a "geothermal energy device" is a heating or cooling device installed using ground loop technology. The credit is taken from County real property taxes levied on residential dwellings that use such devices installed on or after January 1, 2009. It comes from the taxes on the building, not the land.
The amount is the lesser of two figures set in § 4-2-311(e): a percentage of the cost of materials and installation, less federal and State grants or State geothermal energy tax credits, or a fixed cap. For that reason the form asks for the total device cost and for any federal or State credit or grant you received. Ask the Office of Finance for current figures.
The application is made under oath, with a declaration under the penalties of perjury provided by the Tax – Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, § 1-201. It covers only County property taxes: the County's tax credit page says these credits do not apply to the Solid Waste service charge, the Waterway Protection and Restoration Fund fee, State of Maryland property taxes or City of Annapolis property taxes.
Who needs to file Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Application – Anne Arundel County, MD?
Owners of residential property in Anne Arundel County whose dwelling uses a geothermal energy device, installed with ground loop technology on or after January 1, 2009, complete this application to receive the credit. Any device that uses geothermal energy to heat or cool the dwelling is eligible under § 4-2-311(c).
Conditions attached to the application:
- The credit is one-time. Under § 4-2-311(d), an application may be filed only once for the duration of the credit.
- The credit applies to the building's taxes, not the land's.
- The form asks for the amounts of any federal or State tax credit or grant received, because they reduce the credit.
- Every owner applying signs: the form has two applicant signature lines.
The County's tax credit page says the Geothermal Energy credit, unlike some other County credits, is not limited by a ban on combining credits. It also says a credit cannot exceed your actual County property tax liability, so you may wish to apply for different credits in different tax years.
When to file Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Application – Anne Arundel County, MD
The County must receive the application on or before June 1 immediately before the taxable year for which you want the credit; the form says the taxable year begins July 1. If it arrives after June 1, the credit is disallowed for that year and the application is treated as an application for the next succeeding taxable year.
The County's tax credit page says the deadline is set in County Code, so the Office of Finance has no authority to waive or extend it. Because an application may be filed only once, have the paid receipts and the final inspection sticker copy ready before you send it. If you mail it less than 14 days before the deadline, the form suggests a traceable form of delivery, since the County is not responsible for mail delays. The County sends written notification when a completed application is approved or denied. No processing time is printed on the form.
Documents you need
- Copies of PAID receipts, invoices or other documentation of the purchase of materials or supplies and the actual installation cost of the geothermal energy device; required with every application, and missing documentation may result in denial.
- A copy of the final inspection sticker for the geothermal energy device; the form asks you to confirm with Yes or No that you included it.
- For a leased system: a "Project Cost Statement" or similar document from the vendor that itemizes materials, supplies and installation costs; the County's tax credit FAQ says a lease agreement alone is not acceptable.
How to fill out Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Application – Anne Arundel County, MD
Read County Code § 4-2-311
Before you start, read § 4-2-311, which is attached to the application and sets the requirements. Type or print using ink only.
Enter owner and property details
Write the name(s) of the property owner(s), then the property address with city, state and ZIP code.
Enter the Parcel ID number
Fill in the Parcel ID# as District/Subdivision/Account Number. The County's tax credit page says the account identifier can be looked up by property address on the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation website.
Add contact information
Enter the primary and secondary telephone numbers and your email address. Add a mailing address with city, state and ZIP code only if it differs from the property address.
Describe the device and its cost
Describe the geothermal energy device and the use of the equipment, then enter the total cost of the device, including installation costs.
Answer the documentation questions
Mark Yes or No to whether you included copies of all receipts, paid invoices or other cost documentation, and whether you included a copy of the final inspection sticker.
Report credits and grants received
Enter the amount of federal tax credit, State tax credit, federal grant and State grant you received for the device.
Read the certifications
The form certifies that you read § 4-2-311, that the credit is one-time and taken from taxes on the building, that a filing after June 1 counts for the next taxable year, and that the information is true under penalties of perjury.
Sign and date as applicant
Each applicant signs and dates on the Applicant lines. By signing, you also give the County permission to take action needed to verify the documentation.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check every entry against your receipts, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Assemble the package and submit it through one of the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Application – Anne Arundel County, MD
You can return the application by email or by mail to the Anne Arundel County Office of Finance.
- Email: send it to [email protected].
- Mail: Anne Arundel County, Office of Finance, Attn: Tax Credits, 44 Calvert Street, Room 110, Annapolis, MD 21401.
Include copies of all PAID receipts, invoices or other documentation of the purchase of materials or supplies and the actual installation cost, plus a copy of the final inspection sticker for the device. The form warns that leaving out required documentation may result in denial. The application must be received by June 1; if you mail it less than 14 days before the deadline, use a traceable form of delivery.
For questions, call (410) 222-1748 (Hearing/Speech Impaired 711) or write to [email protected]. The County's tax credit page says that, if you give an email address on the application, the office may confirm receipt as a courtesy; if you get none, call (410) 222-1748. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sending the application after June 1 and expecting the credit for the coming taxable year; a late application is treated as one for the next succeeding taxable year.
- Leaving out paid receipts, invoices or other cost documentation; the form states that missing documentation may result in denial.
- Submitting a lease agreement as proof of cost; the County says it is not acceptable and asks for a Project Cost Statement or similar itemized document.
- Not attaching a copy of the final inspection sticker while checking Yes to the question about it.
- Leaving the federal and State credit and grant amounts blank; the credit is reduced by these amounts under § 4-2-311(e).
- Filing with only one owner's signature when more than one owner is listed, or without dates; the form has two applicant signature lines.
- Completing the form in pencil; the form says to type or print using ink only.
- Expecting the credit to reduce taxes on the land or other charges; it applies only to County real property taxes levied on the building.
- Mailing the application less than 14 days before the deadline without traceable delivery; the County is not responsible for mail delays.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Application?
It is the Anne Arundel County Office of Finance form for a one-time credit against County real property taxes on a dwelling that uses a geothermal energy device installed on or after January 1, 2009. The credit comes from taxes on the building, not the land.
When is the Anne Arundel County geothermal tax credit application due?
The County must receive it on or before June 1 before the taxable year, which begins July 1. A later application is treated as one for the next succeeding taxable year, and the County says it cannot waive or extend the deadline.
What do I need to attach to the geothermal tax credit application?
Attach copies of PAID receipts, invoices or other documentation of materials, supplies and the actual installation cost, plus a copy of the final inspection sticker. The form warns that missing documentation may result in denial of the application.
Where do I send the Anne Arundel County geothermal tax credit form?
Email it to [email protected] or mail it to Anne Arundel County, Office of Finance, Attn: Tax Credits, 44 Calvert Street, Room 110, Annapolis, MD 21401. For questions call (410) 222-1748.
Can I apply for the geothermal credit more than once?
No. County Code § 4-2-311(d) says an application may be filed only once for the duration of the tax credit, and the credit itself is one-time. Make sure the documentation is complete before you send it.
How is the geothermal tax credit amount determined?
Under § 4-2-311(e), it is the lesser of a percentage of the cost of materials and installation, less federal and State grants or State geothermal tax credits, or a fixed cap. Ask the Office of Finance for current figures.
How will I know if my geothermal tax credit was approved?
The County sends written notification when a completed application is approved or denied, by letter or email. 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 geothermal tax credit application online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, not affiliated with Anne Arundel County, and does not file the application; you send it to the Office of Finance yourself.
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