Maryland · Property tax exemptions for surviving spouses · Updated Oct 2026
Maryland property tax exemptions for surviving spouses (2026)
Every statewide property tax break in Maryland that our guide lists for surviving spouses: breaks made for them, and breaks a surviving spouse can keep or claim. What each is worth, who qualifies, the deadline and how to apply.
Short answer
The main property tax break for surviving spouses in Maryland is the Surviving Spouse of a 100% Disabled Veteran or Military Casualty Exemption. The home is fully exempt.
Worth
Full exemption
Income limit
None listed in our sources
Deadline
No fixed deadline; refunds are possible if you apply within 3 years of the year the…
Property tax breaks for surviving spouses in Maryland
Surviving spouses
Surviving Spouse of a 100% Disabled Veteran or Military Casualty Exemption
The home is fully exempt. An unmarried surviving spouse who moves can get the same dollar amount of exemption on the new home.
Who qualifies
The surviving spouse of a veteran rated 100% service-connected permanent and total (before or after death) who owns and lives in the home; or the surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty on active service. Remarriage ends it.
How to apply
Send the Surviving Spouse of a 100 Percent Disabled Veteran Exemption application (or the Surviving Spouse Military Casualty application) to SDAT's local assessment office, with the death certificate and VA documents.
$40,000 off the assessed value of your home (prorated in the first year).
For surviving spouses: A surviving spouse keeps it if not remarried (separate 'Surviving Spouse of Blind Persons' application).
Who qualifies
An owner who lives in the home and has a permanent impairment of both eyes: 20/200 or less in the better eye with glasses, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less. A surviving spouse keeps it if not remarried (separate 'Surviving Spouse of Blind Persons' application).
How to apply
Send the Blind Persons Exemption Application, with a physician's certification on the form, to SDAT's local assessment office for your county. A surviving spouse uses the 'Surviving Spouse of Blind Persons' application on SDAT's exemptions page.
Send the Surviving Spouse of a 100 Percent Disabled Veteran Exemption application (or the Surviving Spouse Military Casualty application) to SDAT's local assessment office, with the death certificate and VA documents.
Deadline: No fixed deadline stated; the exemption is prorated from when you apply.
Renewal: Not stated by SDAT; ask your local assessment office.
Savings estimate for Maryland
Roughly what an exemption could save you a year: the value it takes off, times your tax rate.
Eligibility finder for Maryland
Answer a few questions to see which property tax breaks may fit you. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
Pre-set for surviving spouses: you own and live in the home and are a surviving spouse. Change any answer.
Document checklist for Maryland
Pick the breaks you plan to apply for. You get a checklist of forms, documents, steps and deadlines to print or keep on your phone.
Questions about surviving spouses property tax breaks in Maryland
Who qualifies for property tax breaks for surviving spouses in Maryland?
Surviving Spouse of a 100% Disabled Veteran or Military Casualty Exemption: The surviving spouse of a veteran rated 100% service-connected permanent and total (before or after death) who owns and lives in the home; or the surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty on active service. Remarriage ends it. Blind Persons Exemption: An owner who lives in the home and has a permanent impairment of both eyes: 20/200 or less in the better eye with glasses, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less. A surviving spouse keeps it if not remarried (separate 'Surviving Spouse of Blind Persons' application).
Is there an income limit for surviving spouses' property tax breaks in Maryland?
Our sources list no income limit for any of these breaks.
When is the deadline for surviving spouses to apply in Maryland?
Surviving Spouse of a 100% Disabled Veteran or Military Casualty Exemption: No fixed deadline; refunds are possible if you apply within 3 years of the year the veteran died. Blind Persons Exemption: No fixed deadline stated; the exemption is prorated from when you apply.
Do surviving spouses have to reapply every year in Maryland?
Surviving Spouse of a 100% Disabled Veteran or Military Casualty Exemption: One-time; SDAT checks marital status once each three-year reassessment. Blind Persons Exemption: Not stated by SDAT; ask your local assessment office.
Where do surviving spouses apply for property tax breaks in Maryland?
The State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) runs the Homestead Tax Credit and the Homeowners' Tax Credit (you apply to SDAT online or by mail) and decides the disabled-veteran and blind exemptions (you send those applications to SDAT's local assessment office in your county). Extra local credits are run by each county or Baltimore City finance office. For the Surviving Spouse of a 100% Disabled Veteran or Military Casualty Exemption: Send the Surviving Spouse of a 100 Percent Disabled Veteran Exemption application (or the Surviving Spouse Military Casualty application) to SDAT's local assessment office, with the death certificate and VA documents.