Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund Program

The 2005 Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund Progam will begin accepting applications on August 1, 2005. The Program has been expanded to provide property tax and rent relief to more people than ever before. Though the Senior refund portion of the program remains relatively unchanged, the General portion of the program now provides refunds of up to $2,000 to persons of any age whose household income for 2004 was not more than $74,500 for single-member households and not more than $99,500 for those who lived with a spouse or dependent(s). To qualify for a refund, the 2004 property tax must be more than 4 percent of household income or the rent paid must be more than 20 percent of household income.

Senior program refunds are available to applicants who were at least 62 in 2004 (55 or over if disabled). In addition, for persons living alone, the household income for 2004 cannot be more than $12,400; for a single person living with a dependent, or a married person who lived with a spouse, the 2004 household income cannot be more than $15,300.

Applicants who qualify for both the Senior and General refunds will receive the larger of the two.

Applications must be filed between August 1, 2005 and May 31, 2006.

Applications may be filed by computer using I-file at www.maine.gov/revenue (see page 9 of the booklet) or by telephone using our Telefile System (see page 10 of the booklet). Applications may also be filed by mail. I-file requires access to a computer with an internet connection. Free internet access is available at most local libraries in Maine.

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, Community Action Agencies, Pine Tree Legal offices, Bureau of Elder and Adult Services, DHHS District Offices, Health Clinics, Career Centers, Public Libraries and Adult Education locations, or by calling the Maine Revenue Services forms line at (207) 624-7894. Booklets may also be downloaded at www.maine.gov/revenue (click on Forms/Publications).

Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement Program

The application period for the Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement program (BETR) will begin August 1, 2005. The purpose of the BETR program is to encourage new capital investment in Maine. The program reimburses local property taxes paid on most qualified business property for up to 12 years. Qualified business property must have been first placed in service in Maine after April 1, 1995. An annual application must be filed between August 1, 2005 and January 3, 2006 for eligible property taxes paid during calendar year 2004.

The program contains a new requirement this year for certain businesses to complete and submit with the application a worksheet describing overlap between the BETR program and tax increment financing (TIF) benefits. The new requirement is only for those businesses that receive a benefit from both BETR and TIF for the same piece of property. The required worksheet will be posted to the MRS web site shortly.

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. Downloadable versions of the forms and instructions have been posted to the MRS web site at www.maine.gov/revenue (click on Forms/Publications). Other businesses wanting to take advantage of the program can order the application by calling the forms line at (207) 624-7894.

Correction - Maine Minimum Tax Worksheet Instructions

The instructions for line 7 on page 4 of the 2004 Maine Minimum Tax Worksheet package contain an incorrect line reference. The instructions direct taxpayers to compute their nonresident and part-year resident apportionment factor by dividing Maine-source income included in Maine alternative minimum taxable income on line 5 by total Maine alternative minimum taxable income included on line 5. However, to accurately determine the apportionment factor, taxpayers should divide Maine-source income included in Maine tentative alternative minimum taxable income on line 3 by total Maine tentative alternative minimum taxable income included on line 3. The corrected 2004 instructions may be downloaded at www.maine.gov/revenue (click on Forms/Publications).