# Tax - Property (GTP)

## Title 5. Property Tax -- General Provisions

### Subtitle 1

#### Section 5-101

(a) For property tax purposes, the owner of a life estate, or other particular freehold estate, or term of years perpetually renewable in property is deemed the owner of the property and is liable for property tax on the property.

(b)

  (1) In this subsection, "person in possession or control of property" includes a lessee, custodian, consignee, or bailee.

  (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, for property tax purposes, the Department may determine by regulation if a person in possession or control of property is to be deemed the owner of the property by the Department.

  (3) If a person in possession or control of property is deemed the owner under the Department's regulations and if the property is assessed separately from other property of the person, a collector may collect property tax from:

    (i) the owner of the property; or

    (ii) the person who is deemed the owner of the property.

(c) Except as provided by agreement, a person who is deemed the owner of property and who pays property tax:

  (1) has a right to indemnity from the owner for the tax paid; and

  (2) for tangible personal property, has a lien on the property for property tax while the property is in the possession or control of the person.

#### Section 5-102

(a) Real property is subject to assessment and taxation in the State, the county, and, if applicable, municipal corporation or special tax district where the real property is situated.

(b)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, subsection (c) of this section, and for operating property in Sec. 6-103 of this article, tangible personal property located in the State is subject to assessment and taxation in the county and, if applicable, municipal corporation where the tangible personal property is permanently located.

  (2) If tangible personal property located in the State is not permanently located in any county, it is subject to assessment and taxation where the owner resides.

(c) The stock in business of a manufacturing or commercial business is subject to assessment and taxation in the county and, if applicable, municipal corporation where the business is carried on.

(d) If trustees of personal property include trustees who are nonresidents of the State, the property shall be treated as held by a resident of the State in the same proportion that the number of trustees who are residents of the State bears to the total number of trustees. The remainder of the property shall be treated as held by a nonresident of the State.

#### Section 5-103

The person responsible for issuing building permits shall immediately after issuing a building permit submit a copy of the building permit and the estimated cost of construction to the supervisor of the county where the building is located.

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Md. Code Ann., Tax-Prop. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)