2026 fiscal calendar
Know the tax date before it becomes a penalty date.
Tax bills, payment rules, and valuation-review windows are controlled by the local jurisdiction and the governing state framework. The verified record below separates published figures from dates that require confirmation with Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation — Dorchester County Assessments; Dorchester County Department of Finance.
Effective rate
2026 taxpayer information: county rate $1.0300 + Maryland state rate $0.1120 = $1.1420 per $100 assessed value; Cambridge and Hurlock have separate county differentials and municipalities add their own rates.
Statement mailing
July 2026; Dorchester County's 2026 taxpayer information states property-tax bills are sent in July.
Payment deadline
2026 tax year: non-owner-occupied bills are due in full by September 30, 2026; owner-occupied property may pay in installments due September 30 and December 31, 2026; interest and penalties apply after the due dates.
Valuation protest
Within 45 days of the date on the Maryland SDAT Notice of Assessment; Dorchester County directs assessment and appeal questions to SDAT at 410-228-3380.
Critical payment warning
Do not assume a grace period.
The verified county record identifies the payment timing above but does not establish a universal penalty schedule for this page. Late charges, interest, collection costs, tax-sale procedures, and lien or foreclosure timelines can depend on state law and the local collector’s process. If the deadline is close or a balance is delinquent, contact the tax collector directly and request the current payoff amount in writing.
Treat the published payment deadline as a hard operational date and retain your receipt or confirmation number.
Read the calendar in order
From assessment to collection
1. Valuation and notice
Review the assessment notice as soon as it arrives. The protest window may run from the notice date rather than from the payment due date.
2. Statement and account review
Match the tax statement to the parcel or account number and confirm exemptions, assessed value, taxing units, credits, and balance.
3. Payment confirmation
Use the official collector channel, then save the receipt, transaction reference, and date posted. A bank submission is not always the same as a county posting date.