Experienced homeowners know that property taxes are part of the deal, but if you’re a first-time homebuyer, understanding your tax rates can be a challenge. Property taxes aren’t set in stone—they often change based on your location and the market.

Here to help you prepare for your property tax bill is the top-rated home and

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. In this article, we’ll talk about some property tax basics, explain how they work in Baltimore County, and tell you what you need to do when it’s time to pay.

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Property tax 101

Here are some helpful property tax facts that can help you understand your bill:

Property taxes are collected by your local government. The funds are then allocated to a variety of public works and community services such as police departments, public schools, libraries, museums, and more.

In most cases, property taxes are applied to real property like land, housing, and commercial structures.

Determining your property tax rate is the job of a tax assessor employed by your county. The assessor looks at the market value of your home or property and local tax rates to come up with the exact amount you will need to pay.

Your property taxes may not look the same from one year to another. They often change based on local budgets and market conditions.

By paying your property taxes, you’re helping your local government fund the community you live in.

MORE: Is car insurance tax deductible?

What is the property tax rate in Baltimore County?

If you buy a home in Baltimore County, you will pay a property tax rate of 0.87% of your assessed home value, which is about average for the state of Maryland. Based on that rate, most Baltimore County residents pay around $2,358 in property taxes each year.

For details on tax rates and general information on property taxes, you can visit the

Baltimore County website

How property taxes work in Baltimore County

In Baltimore County, the value of your property is set by the

Department of Assessments and Taxation

based on the current market value. That value is then combined with the local tax rate to get your final property tax—this is the number you’ll see on your bill.

The Department of Assessments and Taxation will reassess your property once every three years. Baltimore County limits property tax increases to no more than 4%, but if the value of your property goes up, then your property tax bill may also go up.

What do Baltimore County property taxes pay for?

Baltimore County property taxes are used to fund many important residential services such as:

Public safety

Sanitation

Transportation

Health and social services

Public education

Infrastructure

Recreation

If you’re unhappy with the way the money from your property taxes is being distributed, you can attend a

town hall meeting

for a chance to influence budget decisions.

MORE: How to deduct a car accident from your taxes

How to pay property taxes in Baltimore County

Your Baltimore County property tax payments are due on July 1 and December 1 each year.

There are

several convenient ways to pay

your property tax bill in Baltimore County—online, by mail, by phone, or in person.

Online: You can use a credit card, debit card, or eCheck to

pay online

. You will be asked for the parcel ID and the account number or property address found on your bill.

By mail: Make your check or money order out to Baltimore County, Maryland and send you payment to Taxpayer Services Office, Historic Courthouse, 400 Washington Avenue, Room 150, Towson, Maryland 21204. You must include a copy of your property tax bill with your payment.

By phone: Call (410) 887-2403 to pay over the phone with a credit card or debit card. You will need your parcel ID, which is noted on your property tax bill.

In person: You can bring cash or a personal check to the Taxpayer Services Office, located at 400 Washington Avenue, Room 150, Towson, Maryland 21204.

If you pay with an eCheck you will be charged a $0.95 convenience fee, and if you pay with a credit or debit card the convenience fee is 2.39%. If you pay with a check and the check bounces, you will be charged a fee of $35.00.

MORE:

Maryland car insurance laws—all you need to know

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