<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"><BR>
<BR>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><B>Mary Pat Clarke, 14th District</B><BR>
<BR>
<B>Baltimore City Council</B><BR>
<BR>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><B> </B><BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<B>Dear Leaders and Friends of the 14th District,</B><BR>
<BR>
<B> </B><BR>
<BR>
I need your help in getting out the word about the State of Maryland’s HOMEOWNERS’ Property Tax Credit for our homeownership neighbors whose gross household income is $60,000 or less a year. <B>MAY 1, 2012, is the deadline to apply for receiving this income-based discount on Baltimore City’s July 1, 2012, property tax bill. </B><BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
An estimated 4 out of 5 eligible homeowners fail to even apply for this benefit. They just don’t know about it! Yet, in these hard times, the discount provided could help prevent foreclosure.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
The attachment to this email provides directions and an application for the Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit. Please save and distribute to your email lists and contacts. <B>The link for these documents is</B>:<BR>
<BR>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><A HREF="http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/htc.html">http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/htc.html</A><BR>
<BR>
<P ALIGN=LEFT> <BR>
<BR>
Since many Homeowners’- eligible households do not have “online” access, my office will provide you with informational packets to distribute which include a cover letter and the State’s directions and application. <BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<U>We will deliver these packets to VOLUNTEERS, mainly in the 14th District,</U> who are willing to distribute them door-to-door in their neighborhoods or set up information tables outside election polls and at the 32nd Street Farmers Market, shopping centers and school/community meetings. These packets are not produced at taxpayer or campaign expense.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Please contact us for delivery of as many packets as you or your volunteers need and where to drop them off. <BR>
<BR>
Call 410-396-4814 (o) or email us at <A HREF="mailto:marypat.clarke@baltimorecity.gov">marypat.clarke@baltimorecity.gov</A> <B>(Subject line: Homeowners Packets).</B> <BR>
<BR>
Please be sure we have a contact phone number.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
The State’s Homeowners’ Hotline in Baltimore is 410-767-4433. <BR>
<BR>
<U>We also need VOLUNTEER MENTORS </U>who will work one-on-one with applicants requiring assistance. (Same contact information as above.) <BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<B><U>Summary of Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit Qualifications:</B></U><BR>
<BR>
<B>If </B>you own your own home and live there for at least 6 months a year;<BR>
<BR>
<B>If </B>your total <U>gross household income is $60,000 a year or less, </U>including the income of all household residents;<BR>
<BR>
<B>If </B>your house is assessed at $300,000 or less by the State; and,<BR>
<BR>
<B>If </B>you have less than $200,000 in savings, stocks, the value of other properties you may own --- but NOT COUNTING the value of your own home, the cash value of IRAs, or qualified retirement savings plans …<BR>
<BR>
<B>THEN, </B><BR>
<BR>
<B>No matter how young or old a homeowner you are, </B>you may be eligible and should file an application for the Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit by or before MAY 1, 2012, to be eligible for a reduction of the City property tax bill of July 1, 2012. <BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<B><U>Summary of How the Homeowners’ Credit is Computed.</B></U><BR>
<BR>
For every level of gross household income up to $60,000, the State establishes a maximum property tax liability. For example, if that income is $30,000, the homeowner’s liability is $1,680, so the most the homeowner must personally pay in property taxes to Baltimore City is $1,680. If the City’s property tax bill is $2000, the homeowner personally pays $1,680 --- and the State reimburses the City the difference of $320. (After $30,000, the liability increases by $90 for every $1,000 of increased household income up to $60,000.)<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
The Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit is applied <U>after</U> the Homestead Property Tax Credit which, in Baltimore City, “caps” the annual property tax increase for owner-occupant homeowners at 4 percent. <BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<B><U>Thanks for your consideration and help!</B></U><BR>
<BR>
This Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit saved the home of a beloved member of our family who would otherwise have lost it after retirement. No one worked harder than she did all her life, and no one contributed more to family, neighborhood and --- in retirement --- to volunteer hospice and hospital activities. <BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Now, I am seeking the same help for neighbors in the extended family of our 14th District --- and for our neighborhoods themselves in our efforts to preserve and promote the stability which homeownership represents. Thanks for your own consideration and help in this major outreach effort. <BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<B><I>Mary Pat</B></I><BR>
<BR>
<I> </I><BR>
<BR>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<B>Mary Pat Clarke</B><BR>
<BR>
<B>14th District, Baltimore City Council</B><BR>
<BR>
<B>550 City Hall</B><BR>
<BR>
<B>100 North Holliday Street</B><BR>
<BR>
<B>Baltimore, Maryland 21202</B><BR>
<BR>
<B>410-396-4814 (o)</B><BR>
<BR>
<B>410-545-7585 fax</B><BR>
<BR>
<B><U>M<A HREF="mailto:MaryPat.Clarke@BaltimoreCity.gov">aryPat.Clarke@BaltimoreCity.gov</A></B></B><BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<B>Staff</B><BR>
<BR>
<B><U>C<A HREF="mailto:Cindy.Leahy@BaltimoreCity.gov">indy.Leahy@BaltimoreCity.gov</A></B></B><BR>
<BR>
<B><A HREF="mailto:Jermaine.Johnson@BaltimoreCity.gov">Jermaine.Johnson@BaltimoreCity.gov</A></B></B><BR>
<BR>
<B><A HREF="mailto:MorganA.Jones@BaltimoreCity.gov">MorganA.Jones@BaltimoreCity.gov</A></B></B><BR>
<BR>
<P ALIGN=LEFT> <BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
</U></U></P></P></P></P></P></P></FONT></HTML>