Volume 27, Issue 5		September 2017

 

2017 Tax Law Changes

A summary of the 2017 Maine tax law changes is now available on the Maine Revenue Services website at www.maine.gov/revenue (click on “2017 Legislative Changes”).  View this link to see the latest changes, including Income Tax, Estate Tax, Sales Tax, and Property Tax legislation.

 

Maine Revenue Services (“MRS”) Rulemaking Activity

Rule 104 amended.  MRS has amended Rule 104 (“Filing of Maine Tax Returns”).  Amended Rule 104 provides requirements for electronic filing of certain Maine tax returns.  The rule is amended to include electronic filing requirements for preparers of real estate transfer tax declarations.  The rule currently includes electronic filing requirements for return preparers of many other tax types administered by the Bureau.  The electronic filing system for transfer tax declarations has been operating for several years and the Bureau is confident that the system functions – and will function – properly.  Electronic filing of transfer tax declarations will reduce costs to both the Bureau and preparers, will allow faster processing of returns, and will provide sales data to municipalities much sooner than with paper filing.  The amended Rule can be found on the MRS website at www.maine.gov/revenue/rules/.

 

2017 Maine Sales & Use Tax Symposiums

The Sales, Fuel and Special Tax Division at Maine Revenue Services is pleased to announce the dates for this fall’s Sales & Use Tax Symposiums:

October 17 – Augusta Elks Lodge, Augusta, Maine
October 19 – Keeley’s Banquet Center, Portland, Maine
October 25 – Caribou Inn and Convention Center, Caribou, Maine
October 26 – Bangor Banquet and Conference Center, Bangor, Maine

Additional information and the registration form can be found at www.maine.gov/revenue under “Featured Links” (click on 2017 Fall Sales Tax Symposium).

Maine Revenue Services Conforms to
Federal Tax Relief Provided to Taxpayers Affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma

Maine Revenue Services has announced Maine Tax Filing Relief for those located in the federally declared disaster areas affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Taxpayers who reside or have a business located in the Hurricane Harvey or Hurricane Irma disaster area will have until January 31, 2018 to file tax returns and submit tax payments that were due on or after August 23, 2017 (on or after September 4, 2017 for those in Florida or on or after September 5, 2017 for those in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and due before January 16, 2018.  The relief applies to all taxes administered by Maine Revenue Services, including Sales and Use Taxes, Motor Fuel Taxes, Individual and Corporate Income Taxes, the Estate Tax and Financial Institution Franchise Tax.  Note, however, that tax payments originally due before August 23, 2017 (before September 4, 2017 for those in Florida and before September 5, 2017 for those in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) are not eligible for this relief.

Maine Revenue Services will abate interest and any late filing or late payment penalty that would otherwise apply.

To qualify for relief, affected taxpayers should write “HURRICANE HARVEY” or “HURRICAN IRMA” across the top of their return.  Businesses or individuals located in the federally declared disaster area who receive penalties and interest for filing returns or paying taxes late during the relief period should contact Maine Revenue Services at 207-626-8475 (Income Tax programs), 207-624-9693 (Sales Tax programs), or 207-624-9609 (Motor Fuel Tax programs) for a waiver of the penalties and interest.

If the IRS grants relief to other areas affected by the hurricanes or grants an additional relief period, Maine Revenue Services intends to grant similar relief to affected Maine taxpayers.

Taxpayers with questions about special federal tax relief associated with Hurricane Harvey or Hurricane Irma should contact the IRS at 866-562-5227 or go to the IRS website at www.irs.gov for posted information.  Taxpayers with questions about their Maine taxes are encouraged to contact Maine Revenue Services at 207-626-8475 (Income Tax programs), 207-624-9693 (Sales Tax programs), or 207-624-9609 (Motor Fuel Tax programs) or visit the Maine Revenue Services website at www.maine.gov/revenue.