Baltimore Tax Bills: 13-Year Debts Surface

Baltimore property owners are receiving retroactive tax notices for debts that date back more than a decade.

The city has begun sending letters that list unpaid property tax balances from as far back as the 2013-14 tax year. The amounts vary widely, ranging from 53 cents to nearly $1,300. Residents report that these balances were not previously included on their annual statements. The letters demand payment by October 31, 2026.

Ellen Townsend received a notice listing $40.35 from the 2013-14 tax year and 53 cents from 2015-16. She states that she pays her property taxes in full annually and no longer possesses records from that period. Tywanna Gardner received a notice seeking $1,299.36, a total that includes a balance dating to 2013. Gardner said city staff previously informed her she had no outstanding debts when she inquired. She noted that she is retired and does not have the funds available to cover the new claim.

The Baltimore City Finance Department told reporters that the city updated residents’ annual bills to provide a more transparent view of outstanding balances. The department stated that previous bills did not fully capture all outstanding amounts owed to the city. The new statements consolidate past due balances, including small amounts associated with prior year balances, late fees, or penalties. The department emphasized that these are not new charges but amounts carried forward from previous billing periods. Officials said they would abate bills on a case-by-case basis if customers believe errors exist. Residents can call 410-396-3000 to dispute a bill.

Explanations given to homeowners have varied. Townsend said a city employee told her the city conducted an audit. Gardner reported being told that her balance consisted entirely of interest. The letters themselves did not explain why the city was sending the notices now or how it calculated the specific balances. The Finance Department has not yet disclosed how many homeowners received the notices or the total amount it is seeking to collect.

Councilwoman Odette Ramos has received multiple inquiries from constituents regarding the notices. She stated that while she supports collecting owed funds, the bills should have been accurate the first time. Ramos expressed concern that homeowners might mistake the notices for errors and fail to pay, which could put them at risk of tax sale. She noted that the notices are being sent directly to property owners rather than their mortgage companies. Both Gardner and Townsend worry they may receive additional bills for other years in the future. Townsend said a city employee told her she did not need to pay the 53-cent balance, but the remaining $40.35 was an unanticipated expense.