Maryland Legislation Targets Foreclosing Banks, Other Real Estate Tax Cheats Benefitting From Improper Homestead Tax Credit Claims

In Baltimore, Maryland, The Baltimore Sun reports:

• A grab bag of housing-related legislation passed in the Maryland General Assembly's recently completed session. Here are the highlights:
  
  Homestead credit penalties (HB 1081): Authorizes local governments to hit people with bigger penalties if they are found to be receiving a Homestead Property Tax Credit (or credits) they don't qualify for and "willfully misrepresented facts" to get the break. The homestead credit caps big tax increases as a result of property appreciation, but it is only for primary residences.
  
  No homesteads for banks (SB 123): Requires that banks -- or whoever purchases a home at foreclosure auction -- send a copy of the court ratification notice to the state Department of Assessments and Taxation so the new owners don't reap the benefit of homestead tax credits intended for the previous owners. Previously, the assessments agency said it had to wait until the new owner recorded the deed to transfer title, which frequently took months -- even years.

Source: New Md. laws affecting property tax credits, foreclosures, ground rent (and possibly you).