The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation is a customer-focused agency that works to ensure property is accurately assessed, business records are appropriately maintained, and necessary tax-related information is conveyed to state agencies and local jurisdictions. The Department's responsibilities can generally be split into two main programs: Real Property and Taxpayer Services. The Real Property Division values more than two million residential and commercial property accounts throughout the state. Those values are then certified to local governments, which use the assessments to collect property taxes. The Department is committed to ensuring uniform and accurate assessments statewide, as well as providing a fair and prompt appeal process. The Taxpayer Services Division is comprised of Charter Filings, Business Personal Property, and Tax Credits. The Charter Filings team helps create businesses and ensures that the documents they file meet the requirements of Maryland law. The Business Personal Property team values items that businesses own, lease, or use in order to operate and are subject to taxation by local jurisdictions. The Tax Credit program helps administer certain tax credits, including the homeowners' tax credit, the renters' tax credit, and the homestead tax credit.