Harford County and Maryland Property Tax Guide 2026: Rates, Assessments and Credits

By Josh Tessier, Lee Tessier Team of eXp Realty Published: Nov. 10, 2026 | Updated: Nov. 10, 2026

🏛️ For the July 2026 to June 2027 tax year, a home in unincorporated Harford County pays $1.0899 per $100 of assessed value: the county's $0.9779 plus the state's $0.112. In Aberdeen and Bel Air the combined county, town and state rate is $1.4933, and in Havre de Grace it's $1.5183. The Homestead Tax Credit caps how fast your taxable assessment can rise: 5% a year for county taxes and 10% for state taxes.

Here's how Harford County property taxes work: the rates, how Maryland assesses your home, why your bill might go up, the credits that can lower it, and when it's due.

💵 Harford County property tax rates for 2026-27

Rates are per $100 of assessed value, for the tax year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027 (fiscal 2027).

Sources: Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), 2026-2027 Tax Rates & Homestead Credit Caps (July 2026); Department of Legislative Services (DLS), County and Municipal Real Property Tax Rates, Fiscal 2027. The county rate matches Harford County Council Resolution 010-26. Aberdeen's rate matches the City of Aberdeen's property tax page, and Havre de Grace's matches City Code §177-22 (Ordinance 1221, adopted May 18, 2026). Totals are my math.

Why is the county rate lower in the towns? Harford's rate has two parts: $0.8413 countywide, plus $0.1366 only for property outside Aberdeen, Bel Air and Havre de Grace (Resolution 010-26). Town residents pay the town's rate instead of that extra piece.

Havre de Grace waterfront note: property in the City's Critical Area Taxing District pays an extra $0.044 per $100 (City Code §177-24).

🧮 What that means for a $350,000 home (my math)

Using the rates above for a home assessed at $350,000, with no credits:

My math: assessed value ÷ 100 × total rate. For example, $350,000 ÷ 100 × $1.0899 = $3,814.65. Your actual bill depends on your assessment, any credits, and any other charges on the bill. Check yours on SDAT's Real Property search.

🏠 How Maryland assesses your home

The state, not the county, sets your home's value for tax purposes. SDAT revalues every property once every three years (Tax-Property §8-104). Harford County is split into three reassessment areas:

Source: SDAT, Harford County Reassessment Areas, and SDAT's Jan. 1, 2026 reassessment report (Area 2). Area 2's next date is my math from the three-year cycle.

Not sure which area you're in? Look up your address on SDAT's Real Property search. Your assessment notice also tells you.

Increases phase in over three years. If your new value is higher, the increase is spread evenly over the next three tax years. If it's lower, the decrease takes effect all at once (SDAT, Dec. 30, 2025).

📈 Will my Harford County property taxes go up in 2026?

For many owners, yes, at least a little. In SDAT's Jan. 1, 2026 reassessment (Group 2), Harford County residential values rose 10.6% on average from the Jan. 1, 2023 values. That's below the statewide residential average of 13.2%.

Sources: SDAT, 2026 reassessment press release and report (Dec. 30, 2025); DLS, Local Revenue Growth: Property Reassessments (2026).

Here's how that plays out (my math): a home valued at $300,000 in 2023 that rose the average 10.6% would be valued at $331,800. The $31,800 increase phases in at $10,600 a year, so the first-year assessment is $310,600, up about 3.5%. That's under Harford's 5% Homestead cap, so the cap wouldn't kick in that year.

Your tax can also rise if the county or town raises its rate, even if your assessment doesn't change.

🛡️ The Homestead Tax Credit: a cap on assessment increases

The Homestead Tax Credit limits how much the taxable assessment on your principal residence can rise each year. You pay no tax on the increase above the cap (SDAT).

Source: SDAT, 2026-2027 Tax Rates & Homestead Credit Caps (July 2026).

Example (my math, simplified): your taxable assessment was $300,000 and your value jumped 20% to $360,000. The first-year phase-in is $320,000, up 6.7%. Harford's 5% cap holds the county's taxable assessment to $315,000. At the unincorporated county rate, that saves about $49 that year. The state's 10% cap doesn't kick in.

How to get it:

• It's for your principal residence only, and you apply once while you own the home.
• Apply online through Maryland OneStop, or by mail.
• Check whether you already have it: look up your property on SDAT's Real Property search. The Homestead status is at the bottom of the page.

💡 The Homeowners' Tax Credit: help based on income

This is a different program. The Homeowners' Property Tax Credit limits your property tax based on your household income (SDAT; Tax-Property §9-104).

• Income limit: combined gross household income of $60,000 or less.
• Net worth: under $200,000, not counting the home or qualified retirement accounts.
• Residence: it must be your principal residence, where you live at least six months of the year, including July 1.
• Limit: the credit covers only taxes on the first $300,000 of assessed value.
• Deadline: You have to apply every year. The deadline for the 2026-27 tax year was Oct. 1, 2026. Under a 2026 state law (Chapter 782), starting with the July 2027 to June 2028 tax year, SDAT posts the application by Feb. 15, 2027, and the deadline moves to Feb. 14 of the tax year (Feb. 14, 2028). Apply by April 15, 2027 so the credit shows up on your July 2027 bill.
• Buying a home? Apply at least 30 days before settlement to get any credit at closing.

Sources: SDAT, Homeowners' Property Tax Credit Program (eligibility); Maryland Code, Tax-Property §9-104, as amended by Chapter 782 of 2026 (HB 1330).

Harford County also offers its own credits for some seniors, veterans, historic properties, solar or geothermal systems, and homes within 1,000 feet of the Scarboro Landfill (Harford County, Real property tax page).

📅 When Harford County property taxes are due

• Bills go out July 1. You have until Sept. 30 to pay without extra costs (Harford County).
• Semiannual option: for owner-occupied homes, you can pay in two installments, Sept. 30 and Dec. 31, or pay the whole bill by Sept. 30 (SDAT; Tax-Property §10-204.3).
• Service charge: paying in two installments can add a service charge to the second installment. It doesn't apply if you pay both by Sept. 30 (Tax-Property §10-204.3).
• Escrow: if your lender escrows your taxes, it usually pays them for you.
• Don't fall behind: Harford prepares properties with taxes unpaid by April 1 for its annual tax sale (Harford County).

Town residents: Aberdeen bills its city tax itself each July 1, and it offers the same 50/50 split for owner-occupied homes: half by Sept. 30, half (plus a service charge) by Dec. 31 (City of Aberdeen). In Bel Air and Havre de Grace, check your bill or call the town's finance office for how town taxes are billed.

🔑 Buying a home in Harford County?

Property taxes are part of your monthly payment, so look up the home's assessment and Homestead status on SDAT before you make an offer. Your title company handles the closing and prorates the year's taxes between you and the seller. For the bigger budget picture, see the Harford County cost of living.

Already own and wondering what your home is worth now? I can send you a free price opinion: an instant automated home valuation by email, and then I'll call to walk you through it.

❓ FAQs

What is the property tax rate in Harford County, MD?

For July 2026 to June 2027, Harford County's rate is $0.9779 per $100 of assessed value outside the towns. With the state's $0.112, the total is $1.0899. In Aberdeen and Bel Air the combined rate is $1.4933, and in Havre de Grace it's $1.5183.

What is Maryland's state property tax rate?

$0.112 per $100 of assessed value for 2026-27, according to SDAT's rate table. It's added to your county rate, and to your town rate if you live in a town.

How often are homes reassessed in Maryland?

Every three years. SDAT splits properties into three groups and reassesses one group each year. Harford's Area 2 was reassessed Jan. 1, 2026, Area 3 is next on Jan. 1, 2027, and Area 1 on Jan. 1, 2028. Increases phase in evenly over three years.

What is the Homestead Tax Credit in Harford County?

It caps how much the taxable assessment on your principal residence can rise each year: 5% for Harford County taxes and 10% for state taxes. You apply once, and you can check your status on SDAT's Real Property search.

Who qualifies for Maryland's Homeowners' Tax Credit?

Homeowners with combined gross household income of $60,000 or less and net worth under $200,000, not counting the home and retirement accounts. It must be your principal residence, and you apply every year. Apply by April 15 to see the credit on your July bill. Starting with the 2027-28 tax year, the final deadline is Feb. 14 of the tax year (it was Oct. 1 through 2026-27).

When are Harford County property taxes due?

Bills go out July 1 and are due by Sept. 30. Owner-occupied homes can pay in two installments, Sept. 30 and Dec. 31, though the second installment may include a service charge.

Why did my Maryland property tax go up?

Usually because your assessment rose after SDAT's three-year reassessment, which phases increases in over three years, or because a county or town rate changed. The Homestead cap limits the assessment part for your principal residence if you've applied.

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About the author: Josh Tessier is a Harford County REALTOR® with the Lee Tessier Team at eXp Realty, based in Bel Air. He has been licensed in real estate since 2011 and has personally sold 600+ homes, and the Lee Tessier Team has sold 5,900+. He lives in Harford County and is raising his family here. Call or text (443) 617-2099.

This post is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rates can change every July 1, and your bill depends on your own assessment and credits. Check your bill, SDAT or your county or town finance office for exact amounts. Sources were checked Nov. 9, 2026.

Sources

Checked Nov. 9, 2026.

• Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation: 2026-2027 Tax Rates & Homestead Credit Caps (July 2026), Harford County Reassessment Areas, 2026 Reassessment press release and report (Dec. 30, 2025), Homestead Tax Credit, Homeowners' Property Tax Credit Program, Semiannual Property Tax Payment Q&A and Real Property search
• Department of Legislative Services: County and Municipal Real Property Tax Rates, Fiscal 2027 and Local Revenue Growth: Property Reassessments (2026)
• Harford County: Resolution 010-26, property tax rate (as introduced April 21, 2026) and Real property tax
• City of Aberdeen: Property Taxes
• City of Havre de Grace: City Code Chapter 177, Article VI, Property Tax Rates and Ordinance 1221, FY 2027 tax rate
• Maryland Code, Tax-Property: §8-104, §9-104, §9-105 and §10-204.3
• Maryland Laws: Chapter 782 of 2026 (HB 1330), Homeowners' Property Tax Credit – Year-Round Application