(a) In this section, "gross income" has the meaning stated in § 9-102 of this article. (b) Notwithstanding Subtitle 1 of this title, the governing body of Prince George's County may authorize, by law, a payment deferral of county property tax for residential real property occupied as the principal residence of the owner. (c) An owner is eligible for a payment deferral under subsection (b) of this section if: (1) the owner or at least one of the owners: (i) has resided in the dwelling for a period of at least 5 consecutive years; and (ii) is at least 70 years of age; and (2) the combined gross income of all individuals who actually reside in the dwelling, excluding an individual who pays a reasonable amount for rent or room and board or is a dependent of a renter under § 152 of the Internal Revenue Code, does not exceed $45,000. (d) The governing body of Prince George's County shall specify: (1) the amount of the tax that may be deferred; (2) restrictions on the amount of the real property eligible for a payment deferral under subsection (b) of this section, except that the amount of eligible property may not be less than the dwelling and curtilage, as determined by the supervisor; (3) the duration of the payment deferral under subsection (b) of this section; (4) that a rate of interest of up to 4% shall be paid on the county property tax payment from the due date without a deferral until the date that the county property tax is paid; and (5) that any mortgagee or beneficiary under a deed of trust be entitled to receive notice of the deferral and of the amount of tax to be deferred. (e) The county property tax that is deferred under this section and any interest specified in the law authorizing the deferral are due: (1) when the deferral ends as specified in subsection (d)(3) of this section; (2) when the eligible owner dies; or (3) immediately on transfer of ownership of the property for which the property tax has been deferred. (f) The governing body of Prince George's County shall specify the cumulative amount of the deferral and related interest in the taxpayer's annual property tax bill. (g) (1) A lien shall attach to the property in the amount of all deferred taxes and interest. (2) The lien shall remain attached until the deferred taxes and interest are paid. (h) (1) The governing body of Prince George's County shall authorize the deferral by written agreement. (2) The agreement shall reflect the terms and conditions of the deferral, including notice of the lien. (3) The agreement shall be recorded in the land records of the county. (i) (1) The governing body of Prince George's County shall establish and promote a countywide public information, awareness, and education campaign on the property tax deferral available under this section. (2) The campaign under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall disseminate information about the property tax deferral through written notice in the annual property tax bill, publication on the appropriate county websites, posters, and any other medium likely to reach resident taxpayers who may be eligible for the deferral program under this section. (j) Penalties may not be charged during the period of the deferral on any tax payments deferred under this section.
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