He can't help but notice that his notice urges him to apply within 60 days, and he saw a reference in the Maryland code that failure "to provide the requested information within 30 days from the date of a request shall result in a dwelling being designated as non-owner-occupied for purposes of the Homestead Property Tax Credit."

C. John Sullivan Jr., director of the state Department of Assessments and Taxation, says it really, honestly and truly is 2012 -- for everyone who bought their house by Dec. 31, at least. After that date, new home purchasers have six months to apply.

Sullivan said the state will send out a series of reminder letters to those in the owning-by-'07 crowd who haven't applied. He said he meant it when he told homeowners not to panic.

"When tax bills go out July 1 in the various counties, no one's going to lose their homestead credit because we do not have an application," Sullivan said.

"But the response has been unbelievable," he added.

The department has already received six duffel bags worth of applications by mail, and he expects the online tally will hit 10,000 by Monday.