Calvert County Commissioners Strike Down Fee For Property Tax Paid In Installments 

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert’s Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted at the March 24 meeting to waive the fee charges for property tax paid in two installments.

According to County Treasurer Amanda Dolina, the county is required by state law to allow certain taxpayers to pay their annual real property tax bill in two installments if the property is their principal residence. The first installment is due Sept. 30, and the second is due Dec. 31.

The county may also choose to apply a service charge to the second installment payment, intended to recover lost interest from revenue collection from the delayed payment. Dolina and her staff presented the state-allowed rate and outlined the options for the county: a 0.517% service charge for the FY2027 tax bill (tax year 2026). The fee would generate approximately $357,993.57 in annual revenue for the county and add about $12.29 to the average second-installment tax bill.

The charge would then be submitted with the property tax rate by the Department of Finance & Budget to the Department of Assessments and Taxation for approval.

The BOCC instead took the second option and voted to waive the fee entirely, citing concern for constituents over already high housing costs and senior citizens who own their homes and live on fixed incomes.

“My husband and I always had to pay our taxes out of pocket, and with raising three young children and everything that life brings your way, I always was so thankful I could split mine into two payments and not incur any extra charges,” Commissioner Catherine Grasso said, explaining her vote to waive the fee. “I always thought it was a great thing the county did that really helped us out as a family.”

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