If you rent your home in Maryland and your rent takes up a big chunk of your income, you may be able to get some money back. Maryland’s Renters’ Tax Credit provides eligible renters with a direct payment of up to $1,000 a year, and you don’t have to own property to qualify.
This program has been around for years, but it can be easy to overlook because so much attention goes to Maryland’s separate tax credit for homeowners. If you’re 60 or older, living with a qualifying disability, or raising a child on a limited income, here’s what you need to know about qualifying and applying before the deadline.
What Is the Maryland Renters’ Tax Credit?
The Renters’ Tax Credit (RTC) is administered by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).
The program provides qualifying renters with a direct payment of up to $1,000 per year. The credit isn’t a loan, so you don’t have to pay it back.
If you’re approved, the payment is issued directly to you rather than being applied as a discount to your monthly rent.
Who Qualifies for the Renters’ Tax Credit?
Maryland has several basic requirements that applicants must meet before qualifying through one of the program’s age, disability, or dependent-child eligibility paths.
For the 2026 application, which is based on your circumstances during 2025, you generally must:
- Have had a bona fide leasehold interest in the property and been legally responsible for paying rent
- Have used the property as your principal residence in Maryland for at least six months during 2025
- Meet the program’s requirements for an eligible rental dwelling
- Have had a combined net worth of less than $200,000 as of December 31, 2025
- Meet one of the additional age, disability, or dependent-child eligibility paths described below
The net worth calculation includes the applicant and, when applicable, a spouse or co-tenant under the program’s rules.
Certain properties don’t qualify. For example, the program generally excludes units rented from a public housing authority or an exempt organization.
The Three Main Ways to Qualify
After meeting the basic requirements, you generally need to qualify through one of these paths.
Age 60 or Older
You or your spouse must have been 60 or older as of December 31, 2025.
Total and Permanent Disability
You or your spouse may qualify based on being 100% totally and permanently disabled as of December 31, 2025, subject to the documentation requirements on Maryland’s application.
Under 60 With a Dependent Child
There is also a separate eligibility path for some renters under age 60.
Under this route, you generally must have had at least one dependent under age 18 living with you during 2025, meet the program’s dependent requirements, receive no federal or state housing subsidy, and fall within the applicable household income limit.
For the 2026 application, Maryland’s Chart 2 lists these income limits:
- 2 people: $21,150
- 3 people: $26,650
- 4 people: $32,150
- 5 people: $37,650
- 6 people: $43,150
- 7 people: $48,650
- 8 people: $54,150
- 9 people: $59,650
These are the income limits published specifically for the 2026 Maryland Renters’ Tax Credit. If your household situation doesn’t fit neatly into the chart, contact SDAT rather than assuming you aren’t eligible.
How Much Can You Get?
The maximum Renters’ Tax Credit is $1,000 per year.
Your actual payment depends on the applicable program calculation, including your household income and rent.
Maryland uses specific rent-and-income calculations to determine whether an applicant qualifies and how much credit they can receive. You don’t need to calculate the final benefit yourself. SDAT will determine your credit after reviewing your application.
Even if you qualify, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll receive the full $1,000.
How to Apply
You have two main options for submitting your 2026 application.
Apply Online
You can apply through Maryland’s official OneStop portal.
Use the 2026 Renters’ Tax Credit Application.
The OneStop application is also available in Spanish.
Apply by Mail
You can also download the official 2026 RTC-1 application and mail the completed application and required documentation to:
State Department of Assessments and Taxation
Renters’ Tax Credit Program
P.O. Box 49006
Baltimore, MD 21297
Be careful with that P.O. Box number. Maryland’s Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit uses a different mailing address.
What Documents Will You Need?
The documents required depend somewhat on your household and eligibility path.
Be prepared to provide the documents requested on the RTC-1 form, which may include:
- Your completed and signed application
- Your federal income tax return, schedules, and forms, if applicable
- Income documentation required by SDAT
- Social Security or Railroad Retirement documentation, when applicable
- Documentation supporting a disability claim, if applicable
- Documentation for dependent children, if applying through the under-60 dependent pathway
- Proof of rent paid when required
If this is your first time applying or you moved during 2025, Maryland may require documentation such as a lease or rental agreement, cancelled checks, money-order receipts, or other evidence showing the rent you paid.
Applicants using the dependent-child eligibility route should also review the RTC-1 instructions carefully for required documents such as Social Security cards and birth certificates.
SDAT may request additional documentation while reviewing your application, so watch for correspondence after you apply.
There is no application fee for the Maryland Renters’ Tax Credit.
When Is the Deadline?
The deadline to apply for the 2026 Renters’ Tax Credit is:
October 1, 2026
Maryland OneStop currently lists the online application as available through October 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
There’s one confusing detail worth knowing if you’re looking through Maryland’s forms online. One official version of the 2026 RTC-1 contains an outdated reference to October 1, 2025 in part of the filing instructions.
However, the form itself identifies the 2026 filing deadline as October 1, 2026, and Maryland’s current OneStop application confirms October 1, 2026 as the deadline.
If you encounter the old 2025 date, don’t let it throw you off.
What If You Own Your Home Instead?
The Renters’ Tax Credit is specifically for renters.
Maryland has a separate Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit Program for qualifying homeowners. That program has its own eligibility requirements and application, so make sure you’re using the program that matches your housing situation.
Relief Recap
Maryland’s Renters’ Tax Credit can provide qualifying renters with up to $1,000, and there are different ways to qualify depending on age, disability, household composition, income, and other program requirements.
The biggest date to remember is October 1, 2026.
If you think you may qualify, review the official RTC-1 instructions carefully and gather your income, rental, and eligibility documents before submitting your application.
If you need additional help with housing costs, utilities, food, transportation, or other expenses, browse our Help Near Me directory to find more assistance programs available in your area.
