LA PLATA, Md. – The following letter to the editor was submitted by the Southern Maryland Association of Realtors®, in strong opposition to the proposed increase in the Charles County recordation tax:
“On behalf of the Southern Maryland Association of Realtors® (SMAR), which represents over 1,700 Realtors® and businesses across our region, we strongly oppose the proposed increase to the Charles County recordation tax.
The proposal in the county’s FY2026 budget would raise the recordation tax from $10 to $14 per $1,000 in value, and would place an unfair and unnecessary burden on homebuyers and sellers in our community.
Last month, the average sale price of a home in Charles County was $495,000. Under the current rate, the recordation tax would come to roughly $5,000 — often split between buyer and seller. Under the proposed hike, that number jumps to nearly $7,000. That’s a $2,000 increase on top of what is already one of the most expensive transactions in a person’s life.
We’re not talking about a small bump. We hear stories every day of home sales falling apart over less than $2,000. For many families, that could be the difference between getting the keys or walking away.
This tax increase creates a deeper barrier to homeownership in a county that already has some of the highest property, transfer, and recordation taxes in the state — and in some cases, the country. While housing costs continue to climb and interest rates remain where they are, we should be looking for ways to open doors, not shut more people out.
Even worse, this tax hits the very groups our elected officials say they want to support: first-time buyers, minority communities, teachers, healthcare, and essential personnel. These are the people who keep Charles County running — and this tax sends a clear message that they’re being asked to carry more than their fair share.
We understand the need for revenue to fund public services and infrastructure, but this isn’t the way to do it. A targeted tax on buyers and sellers will only suppress home sales, reduce affordability, and hurt long-term economic growth — including future property and income tax revenues for the county itself.
A stronger, fairer path forward would be to explore broad-based revenue solutions that don’t single out the people striving to put down roots and build a life in Charles County. We should be encouraging responsible homeownership and community building, not making it harder.
Charles County has an opportunity to lead with smart, fair fiscal policy. Targeted taxes on some of the most vulnerable groups is no way to welcome someone into the Charles County community. Nor is it a fair reward for someone trying to just move up in our community.
We urge the commissioners to find a more equitable revenue solution by utilizing broad-based taxes and not by continuously breaking the backs of homebuyers and sellers. We would encourage members of the community to join us in opposing this tax increase on May 20th at 6:00 p.m. at the Charles County Government Building.
Oppose the recordation tax increase. “
Helen Mattingly Wernecke
President
Southern Maryland Association of Realtors®