HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3497

(IV) MULTIPLYING THIS DIFFERENCE, PROVIDED
IT IS A POSITIVE NUMBER, BY THE APPLICABLE COUNTY, BALTIMORE
CITY, OR MUNICIPAL TAX RATE FOR THIS YEAR. THE PRODUCT OF
THIS CALCULATION SHALL BE THE AMOUNT OF THE TAX CREDIT FOR
THE 1983-1984 TAXABLE YEAR.

(b) (1) In this section the following words have the
meanings indicated:

(2) "Legal interest" means an estate in the
dwelling whether as sole owner, joint tenant, tenant in
common, tenant by the entireties, or through membership in a
cooperative, and includes a purchaser pursuant to a land
installment contract, as defined by § 10-101(b) of the Real
Property Article, and a life estate.

(3) "Homeowner" means a person who by July 1 of
the taxable year for which the real property tax exemption
is to be allowed actually resides in a dwelling in which the
person has a legal interest.

(4) "Dwelling" means the dwelling house of one
or more homeowners and the lot or curtilage where it is
erected, which is used as the principal residence of that
homeowner, or homeowners. A dwelling includes a condominium
parcel occupied by its owner. It also includes an apartment
in a cooperative apartment corporation occupied by the
person having a legal interest in the apartment. It also
includes a portion of real property used other than
primarily for residential purposes, if the property is used
as a principal residence by the person having a legal
interest for that property. In this case, the Department of
Assessments and Taxation shall apportion the total property
assessment between that portion of the property used for
residential purposes and that portion of the property used
other than for residential purposes. A dwelling may not be
deemed a principal residence which is not actually occupied
or expected to be actually occupied by the homeowner or
homeowners for more than six months of a 12-month period
beginning with the date of finality. A homeowner, otherwise
eligible, may qualify for the credit if he does not actually
reside in the dwelling the required time period because of
illness or need of special care. A homeowner or homeowners
may claim credit in only one dwelling.

(5) "TAXABLE ASSESSMENT" MEANS THE ASSESSMENT
UPON WHICH THE LOCAL TAX RATE WAS LEVIED IN THE PRECEDING
TAXABLE YEAR AFTER ANY TAX CREDIT CALCULATED PURSUANT TO
THIS SECTION.

(6) "ASSESSMENT" MEANS THE ASSESSED VALUE
DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENTS AND TAXATION FOR
THE CURRENT TAX YEAR.