MD HB598

Anne Arundel County and its municipal corporations may grant property tax credits on personal property owned by supermarkets that build new stores or substantially renovate existing ones in designated food desert retail incentive areas

Qualifying supermarkets must have all major food departments (produce, meat, seafood, dairy, canned/packaged goods), derive more than 50% of sales from food, and dedicate more than 50% of floor space to food sales

Local governing bodies are required to designate what constitutes a food desert retail incentive area and may establish cumulative credit limits, additional eligibility requirements, and other implementing provisions

The tax credit for any year cannot exceed the total personal property tax imposed on the supermarket for that year

Effective June 1, 2025, applicable to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2025