Maryland § 10-208

§ 10-208.

    (a)    (1)    Subject to § 10–205 of this subtitle, the governing body of a county or municipal corporation may authorize, by law, an installment payment schedule for the county, municipal corporation, or special taxing district property tax imposed on real property.

        (2)    If a fee or other charge imposed by a county, municipal corporation, or special taxing district is also included on the tax bill sent to the taxpayer, the governing body of a county or municipal corporation may also authorize, by law, the payment of the fee or charge through the installment payment schedule authorized under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

        (3)    (i)    Subject to § 10–205 of this subtitle, an installment payment schedule authorized under this subsection may be scheduled in advance of the property tax bill.

            (ii)    An installment payment schedule may include any number of due dates scheduled:

                1.    on or after January 1; and

                2.    on or before the due date under § 10–102 of this title or § 10–204.3 of this subtitle, whichever is applicable.

    (b)    For any installment payment scheduled after July 1:

        (1)    the taxing authority may impose a service charge in accordance with § 10–204.3(f) and (g) of this subtitle; and

        (2)    no interest may be charged if payment is made before the next installment is due or the last installment is due, whichever is earlier.

    (c)    The governing body of a county or municipal corporation that authorized an installment payment schedule under § 10–205 of this subtitle may provide, by law, for:

        (1)    any additional eligibility criteria for an installment payment schedule under this section;

        (2)    the process for electing an installment payment schedule;

        (3)    the number of installment payments allowed each year;

        (4)    the due date for each installment payment; and

        (5)    any other provision necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

    (d)    (1)    A taxpayer may elect to pay the property tax imposed on real property through an installment payment schedule authorized under this section.

        (2)    The failure by the taxpayer to make an installment payment under an installment payment schedule authorized under this section may not be considered to be a failure to pay the property tax when due except as provided under Subtitle 1 of this title.