Last Updated 9/12/26
Maryland Renters’ Tax Credit: How Renters May Get Up to $1,000 Back
Sections
- Quick Answer
- What This Program Does
- Who May Qualify
- Quick Eligibility Tables
- How Much You Could Get
- What You Need Before You Apply
- Timeline
- Step-by-Step Application Process
- If You Need Help
- Important Reminders
- Sources
Quick Answer
If your rent is high compared with your income, it may be worth applying. The credit can be worth up to $1,000, but SDAT decides the exact amount using your occupancy rent and total gross household income. For applicants under age 60, household size also affects the income limit used to decide whether you may qualify. This guide is for information only and does not replace official SDAT instructions. Program rules and deadlines may change.
Rent is expensive, and many renters are paying for more than just a place to live. Maryland says part of your rent may help cover property taxes paid by your landlord. The Renters’ Tax Credit Program can give some renters a check from the State of Maryland if their rent is high compared to their income.
The credit can be worth up to $1,000, depending mainly on your occupancy rent and total gross household income. It is not a loan, and you do not have to pay it back. The State reviews your rent, income, household, and other information to decide if you qualify.
What This Program Does
The Renters’ Tax Credit Program is run by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, also called SDAT.
If you are approved, you will receive the credit as a payment/check from the State. The money is based mainly on your occupancy rent and total gross household income. The program assumes that part of your rent goes toward property taxes.
This program is for renters in Maryland. Your rented home can be an apartment, house, duplex, condominium, co-op, house trailer, or mobile home pad.
Who May Qualify
General eligibility
You may be able to apply if:
- You rented your main home in Maryland.
- You lived in the rented home for at least 6 months of the year.
- You were legally responsible for paying rent.
- Your rented home was not rented from a public housing authority or an exempt organization and was not otherwise exempt from property taxation.
- You, your spouse, and/or co-tenant(s) had a combined net worth of less than $200,000 as of December 31, 2025.
- Your rent and income meet the State’s rules.
Special categories that may make you eligible
The program has different rules depending on your situation.
You may be encouraged to apply if you are age 60 or older.
You may be encouraged to apply if you are 100% totally and permanently disabled as of December 31, 2025. You must submit proof of disability if applying under this category.
You may also be encouraged to apply if you are under 60 and all of these are true:
- At least one dependent under age 18 lived with you during 2025.
- The dependent is listed on your federal income tax return, if you filed one.
- You include a copy of the dependent child’s Social Security card and birth certificate if you apply by paper.
- You did not live in public housing.
- You did not receive federal or state housing subsidies.
- Your household income is under the State’s limit for your household size.
When you probably do not qualify
You probably will not qualify if your rent is not high enough compared with your income, if you did not rent your main home in Maryland for at least 6 months, if your combined net worth was $200,000 or more, or if another rule above does not fit your situation. If you are not sure, SDAT should make the final decision.
For the 2026 application, the State uses your 2025 income and rent. The deadline on the 2026 paper application is October 1, 2026.
Quick Eligibility Tables
These tables come from the 2026 Maryland Renters’ Tax Credit application. They are only a guide. SDAT uses your exact rent, income, documents, and application answers to decide if you qualify.
Age 60 or older OR 100% disabled: income and rent guide
Use this table if you were age 60 or older, or 100% totally and permanently disabled, as of December 31, 2025. If your 2025 monthly rent was more than the amount listed next to your income, SDAT says you may be eligible and are encouraged to apply.
| Approximate 2025 Total Gross Household Income | Monthly Rent Must Be More Than |
| $1-$10,000 | $117 |
| $20,000 | $423 |
| $25,000 | $576 |
| $33,000 | $800 |
| $39,000 | $1000 |
| $43,000 | $1,100 |
| $46,000 | $1,200 |
| $49,000 | $1,300 |
| $53,000 | $1,400 |
| $56,000 | $1,500 |
| $59,000 | $1,600 |
| $62,000 | $1,700 |
| $66,000 | $1,800 |
| $69,000 | $1,900 |
| $73,000 | $2,000 |
Important notes: The rent amounts assume you paid your own utilities separately from rent. If gas, electric, or heat was included in your rent, you may need a higher monthly rent to qualify. Trailer park residents are advised by SDAT to apply and let the State decide eligibility.
Under age 60: household income limits
Use this table if you were under age 60 and had at least one dependent child under age 18 living with you during 2025. You also must not have received federal or state housing subsidies or lived in public housing.
| People in household, including applicant and dependents | 2025 Gross Income Limit |
| 2 | $21,150 |
| 3 | $26,650 |
| 4 | $32,150 |
| 5 | $37,650 |
| 6 | $43,150 |
| 7 | $48,650 |
| 8 | $54,150 |
| 9 | $59,650 |
If your household income is below the limit, SDAT will still use the rent-and-income formula to decide final eligibility. Being under the income limit does not automatically mean you will get the credit.
How Much You Could Get
The maximum credit is $1,000.
Your actual credit depends primarily on your occupancy rent and total gross household income. For applicants under age 60, household size also affects the income limit used to determine whether you may qualify. SDAT uses its own chart or formula to decide whether you qualify. The program assumes that 15% of your yearly “occupancy rent” goes toward property taxes. Occupancy rent means the part of your rent that counts toward this program. It usually does not include extra charges like heat, utilities, or other fees.
A simple way to think about it: if your rent is high compared to your income, you may be more likely to qualify. If you apply, SDAT will calculate the exact amount.
What You Need Before You Apply
Before you start, try to gather:
- Your Social Security number or ITIN.
- Your date of birth.
- Your current mailing address and rental address.
- Your spouse or co-tenant’s information, if this applies.
- Your landlord or management company’s name and address.
- How much rent you paid each month in 2025, and which utilities or services were included in your rent.
- Proof of rent paid, such as a lease, rental agreement, cancelled checks, money-order receipts, or other proof, if you are a first-time applicant or moved during 2025.
- The names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and income amounts for people who lived with you in 2025.
- Proof of 2025 income, such as tax forms, Social Security benefit forms, unemployment records, public assistance records, pension records, or other income documents.
- A complete 2025 federal income tax return with schedules, if you filed one.
- Proof of disability, if you are applying as 100% totally and permanently disabled.
- A dependent child’s Social Security card and birth certificate, if you are under 60 and applying with a dependent child by paper application.
Do not send original documents with the paper application. Send copies.
Timeline
The 2026 Renters’ Tax Credit timeline is:
- Maryland OneStop says the online application opened February 2, 2026.
- The online application closes October 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT.
- The paper application deadline is also October 1, 2026.
- Maryland OneStop estimates the online application takes about 30–60 minutes to complete.
- SDAT says mailed applications take longer to process than online applications, so mail paper applications early if you can.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Check if it is worth applying
Use the quick tables above to get a rough idea of whether it may be worth applying. The tables are only a guide. If you are not sure, it may still be worth applying and letting the State decide.
Step 2: Choose how you want to apply
You can apply online through Maryland OneStop:
https://onestop.md.gov/forms/renters-tax-credit-application-form-rtc-2026-6977af02c48c3f020a3fc153
You can download the 2026 English paper application here:
https://dat.maryland.gov/SDAT%20Forms/2026%20Renters%E2%80%99%20Tax%20Credit%20Application%20RTC-1%20Form.pdf
Spanish paper application:
https://md-onestop-public.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/SDAT/SDAT+Renters+Tax+Credit+Application+-+Spanish_0626-A.pdf
As of August 8, 2026, Maryland OneStop lists the 2026 Renters’ Tax Credit application as open through October 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT, with a $0 application fee.
Step 3: Fill out the application
Answer all questions carefully. The application asks about your rent, household members, income, landlord, housing assistance, public housing, net worth, and whether you lived with dependent children.
Step 4: Attach copies of your documents
Include the required income documents and any other required proof. First-time paper applicants and people who moved during 2025 should include proof of rent paid, such as a lease, rental agreement, cancelled checks, money-order receipts, or other proof. If you filed a 2025 federal tax return, include the complete return with schedules. If you are under 60 and applying with a dependent child, include the child’s Social Security card and birth certificate. If you are applying by mail, do not send originals.
Step 5: Submit the application by the deadline
For the 2026 application, the paper form says the filing deadline is October 1, 2026.
If you apply by mail, send the completed application and copies of your documents to:
State Department of Assessments & Taxation
Renters’ Tax Credit Program
P.O. Box 49006
Baltimore, MD 21297
SDAT says mailed applications take longer to process than online applications.
Step 6: Watch for a decision
If you are approved, you will receive the credit as a payment/check from the State. If you are not eligible, SDAT says it will notify you in writing and tell you the reason.
If You Need Help
For questions about the Renters’ Tax Credit Program, contact SDAT’s Renters’ Tax Credit Program:
Email: sdat.renters@maryland.gov
Phone: 410-767-5915
You can also ask a trusted caseworker, housing counselor, senior center, public library, or community organization for help printing the form, uploading documents, or checking the online application.
Important Reminders
- Do not email applications or documents with personal information like Social Security numbers, ITINs, or income tax returns. SDAT says paper applications and supporting documents should be mailed instead.
- Apply before the deadline. For the 2026 application, the paper form says October 1, 2026.
- If you apply online, keep your confirmation or take a screenshot.
- If you apply by mail, consider keeping a copy of your full application and mailing receipt.
- Rules can change, so check the official SDAT page before applying.
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