Montgomery Co. council approves 8.7 percent tax hike

WASHINGTON — Homeowners in Montgomery County should brace themselves for a tax increase: In a vote that signals how the final operating budget will look, the County Council approved a property tax increase that will raise those taxes by 8.7 percent.

And when homes are sold, buyers and sellers will see a jump in the tax they pay. The recordation tax, as it’s known, will increase so that a home valued at $400,000 would see an increase of the recordation tax of $255.

A $600,000 home would see the same tax jump by $805, according to figures provided by the county.

“Nobody likes the idea of increasing taxes of any kind, but our needs are great,” Council President Nancy Floreen said in a statement issued after the vote.

The increase in the recordation tax will go mostly to school construction, a critical need, Floreen said, as school system enrollment keeps rising.

The final vote on the county’s $5.3 billion budget will be held on May 26.

Kate Ryan

As a member of the award-winning WTOP News, Kate is focused on state and local government. Her focus has always been on how decisions made in a council chamber or state house affect your house. She's also covered breaking news, education and more.

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