The Washington County Treasurer's Office is reminding all Maryland homeowners that the deadline to file Homestead Applications with the State Department of Assessments & Taxation (SDAT) is December 31, 2012.

Homeowners have received notices from the State Department of Assessments & Taxation regarding the application process, yet many have not responded. To find out if you have already filed the one-time application, you should go to the SDAT website at www.dat.state.md.us and click on "Real Property Data Search". You will click on the County name were your property is located and enter the Street address. A page with property information will be displayed, and taxpayers should look at the lower left corner of the page to see if the Homestead application has been submitted.

It is important for homeowners to submit the application to avoid losing the semiannual tax payment option, and the potential to receive eligible credits in the future.

Homeowners with questions about the program should call the State Department of Assessments & Taxation at 410-767-2165 or 1-866-650-8783.