The Surcharge

The Charles Village Community Benefits District (CVCBD) is funded primarily through a supplemental property-tax surcharge paid by owners of taxable properties located within the district. Baltimore City generally places the surcharge on each property owner’s annual tax bill, collects the revenue, and transfers it to the CVCBD. These funds are maintained separately from the City’s general revenues.

For Fiscal Year 2027, the surcharge is $0.125 for every $100 of assessed property value, which is equivalent to 0.125%. For example, a property assessed at $300,000 would generate approximately $375 annually for the district. The rate and the district’s annual financial plan require approval through the CVCBD board and Baltimore City’s Board of Estimates.

Additional funding may include voluntary contributions, donations, partnership payments, and service fees from tax-exempt institutions or organizations that receive district services. Regular Baltimore City services continue separately, while CVCBD funds support enhanced services such as supplemental trash collection, safety patrols, community outreach, and neighborhood programs.

How do I pay my bill?

FAQ

How is the surcharge
calculated? 

When will I receive my bill?

What happens if I do not
receive my surcharge bill?

Checks must be made payable to "Director of Finance." and mailed to the following location:

City of Baltimore Bureau of Revenue Collections
P.O. Box 17535
Baltimore, MD 21297-1535

Online payments can be made by credit card or checking account on the Baltimore's Special Benefits website.

Credit card payments can be made over the phone at (877) 729-6269. Please note that a convenience fee will be charged for each payment. You will need the following information to use the automated phone service:

• Account Number Information

• Credit Card Information

• Amount of Payment

How is the surcharge different from the property tax? 

How can I update the address
of where my surcharge bill
is delivered ?

The surcharge is based upon a property’s assessed value. The current surcharge is $0.132 per $100 of a property’s assessed value. Visit
Baltimore's Special Benefits website or call the Department of Finance at (410) 396-3987 to review a property’s current billing.

The surcharge, derived from the formula above, is in addition to your city property tax. Both bills are sent by Baltimore City, although they arrive separately.

The Charles Village Community Benefits District is committed to keeping neighborhood streets and sidewalks clean and safe while maintaining healthy parks and trees. The surcharge supports these services, helping strengthen the appeal of our communities and protect property values over time.

What if I have questions
about my bill?

Baltimore City surcharge bills cover the fiscal year from July 1 through June 30 and are typically mailed in mid-July. Unpaid balances may be subject to interest, late fees, and additional penalties. Properties with outstanding surcharge bills may also become eligible for tax sale.

For questions about your surcharge bill, contact the Department of Finance at (410) 396-3987, visit Baltimore's Special Benefits website or send an email to deptoffinance@baltimorecity.gov.

You should contact the Department of Finance at (410) 396-3987 or send an email to deptoffinance@baltimorecity.gov.

How to Update the Mailing Address for Your Surcharge Bill

To change the address where you receive your surcharge bill, follow the instructions that best match your situation.

The property is still my primary residence, but I want the bill mailed to a different address.

Complete the Mailing Address Change Form and email it to the Baltimore City Department of Finance at deptoffinance@baltimorecity.gov.

I am renting out the property.

If you are renting out the property, you must update your mailing address with both Baltimore City and the State of Maryland. You must also update the property’s registration status to show that it is no longer your primary residence.

Complete the following steps:

1. Update your mailing address with Baltimore City.
   Complete the Mailing Address Change Form and email it to the Baltimore City Department of Finance at deptoffinance@baltimorecity.gov.

2. Update your mailing address with the State of Maryland.
   Complete the Address Change/SDAT Form and submit it to the appropriate office for the jurisdiction where the property is located. Refer to the form for submission instructions.

3. Update the property registration.
   Update the Property Registration to indicate that the property is no longer owner-occupied. Additional guidance is available in the related FAQ.

You must create an online account before accessing the property registration system. After creating the account, you will receive an email containing your account information.

If a property registration already exists in your name, you will need the registration ID and payment ID numbers to continue. To obtain this information, email property_registration@baltimorecity.gov or call 410-396-3575