New Tax Policy & Financial Analyst Joins Maine Revenue Services

Maine Revenue Services is pleased to announce that Agnes Gormley has joined Maine Revenue Services as a Tax Policy & Financial Analyst. She is responsible for research and analysis in the field of federal tax law as it relates to state taxation, preparation and presentation of tax policy position papers, and review and drafting of legislation. She also participates in the review of fiscal notes and cost impact statements for various legislative initiatives and proposals.

Agnes is an attorney with extensive background in tax law and state government. She worked as an attorney with the IRS for 10 years, providing tax research and advice and representing the IRS in U.S. Tax Court. Subsequently, Agnes worked as an attorney at the Maine Health Care Finance Commission, the Office of the Maine Attorney General, in private practice with the law firm Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson, and as an advocate at the Maine State Retirement System.

Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund Program

The 2004 Maine Resident Property Tax and Rent Refund Program ("T&R") will begin on August 1, 2004. Total household income limits for the 2004 program are increased to $30,300 or less for individuals who lived alone or $46,900 or less for individuals who lived with a spouse or dependent.

Application booklets, including necessary forms are expected to be available by late July. Booklets will be mailed to individuals who submitted applications for last year's program, and will be available at municipal offices, area agencies on aging and community action program offices, or by calling the Maine Revenue Services forms line at (207) 624-7894. Certain individuals who filed an application for refund last year are also eligible to file for the program by telephone or by computer. The application booklet, on page 7, provides I-file requirements and instructions while page 8 provides Telefile requirements and instructions.

Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement Program

The application period for the Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement program (BETR) will begin August 1, 2004. BETR application booklets will be available late July and will be mailed to businesses that have previously applied for reimbursement. Booklets will also be available at most municipal offices. Beginning August 1st, forms and instructions may be downloaded from the Maine Revenue Services Web site at www.maine.gov/revenue. Other businesses wanting to take advantage of the program can order the application by calling the forms line at (207) 624-7894.

2004 Tax Law Changes

A complete list of 2004 Maine tax law changes is now available on Maine Revenue Services' Web site at www.maine.gov/revenue/. View this link to see the latest changes, including Sales Tax, Property Tax and Income/Estate Tax legislation.