Where Can You Get Tax Help?

Property Tax Fairness Credit
Eligible Maine taxpayers may receive a portion of the property tax or rent paid during the tax year on the Maine individual income tax return whether they owe Maine income tax or not. If the credit exceeds the amount of your individual income tax due for the tax year, the excess amount of credit will be refunded to you. Homeowners or renters must meet all of the following requirements:

• Were Maine residents during any part of the tax year;
• Owned or rented a home in Maine during any part of the tax year and lived in that home during the year as a primary residence;
• Paid property tax* or rent on the primary residence in Maine during the tax year;
  • *For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2022, the property tax paid includes amounts paid on the taxpayer’s behalf during the tax year by the State to the municipality under the Property Tax Deferral Program.
• Meet certain income and property tax and/or rent paid limitations during the tax year; and
• Are not married filing separately.

File Form 1040ME

Tax Filing Assistance

Maine Resident Homestead Property Tax Exemption
The homestead exemption provides a reduction of up to $25,000 in the value of your home for property tax purposes. To qualify, you must be a permanent resident of Maine, the home must be your permanent residence, you must have owned a home in Maine for the twelve months prior to applying and an application must be filed on or before April 1 with the municipality where the property is located.

Property Tax Deferral for Senior Citizens
The program allows certain individuals to defer (postpone) payment of the property taxes on their homesteads until they pass away, move, or sell their property. During the period when the taxes are being deferred, the State reimburses the municipality for the deferred taxes. The deferred tax, plus interest, is then required to be repaid to the State by the individual or their estate when they pass away, move, sell the property, or move the property (if mobile or floating home) out of Maine. To be eligible for the program, you must be at least 65 years old or unable to work due to a disability. All owners must have combined liquid assets of less than $75,000 ($50,000 if a single owner) and combined income of less than $40,000. For applications filed after 01/01/2024, all owners must have combined liquid assets of less than $150,000 ($100,000 if a single owner) and combined income of less than $80,000.

Veteran Exemption
A veteran who served during a recognized war period and is 62 years or older; or, is receiving 100% disability as a Veteran; or, became 100% disabled while serving, is eligible for $6,000.

Property Tax Stabilization Program
As a result of recent changes in the law, the Tax Stabilization Program will ONLY apply to the property tax year beginning April 1, 2023. However, this legislation has expanded the eligibility thresholds for participation in the Property Tax Deferral Program and increased the maximum benefit available under the Property Tax Fairness Credit for those age 65 and older.