IN THE CITY
by Lona LaFrancis
New for 2013 there has been a change in the Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund “Circuit breaker” Program. The Maine Revenue Services website states that: “The Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund “Circuit breaker” Program has been repealed as part of the enacted state budget for claims beginning on or after Aug. 1, 2013. “The ‘Circuit breaker’ Program will not provide a refund of taxes and/or rent paid in 2012. For taxes and/or rent paid in 2013, “the circuit breaker program has been replaced by a refundable Property Tax Fairness Credit that can be claimed on the Maine Individual Income Tax Form 1040ME. The new credit will be available beginning in January, 2014. A worksheet will be included with Form 1040ME to calculate the amount of the credit.
“Eligibility requirements for this new credit are not the same as they were for the circuit breaker program. Some residents who qualified for the circuit breaker program will not qualify for this new credit.
“Homeowners or renters will be eligible who meet all of the following requirements:
1. Were Maine residents during any part of the tax year;
2. Owned or rented a home in Maine during any part of the tax year and lived in that home during the year;
3. Had Maine adjusted gross income of not more than $40,000; and
4. Paid property tax on a home in Maine during the tax year that was more than 10 percent of Maine adjusted gross income or paid rent to live in a home or apartment in Maine during the tax year that was more than 40 percent of Maine adjusted gross income.
“Qualified Maine residents can get as much as $300 ($400 if 70 years of age or older). To claim the credit, an applicant must file the 2013 Form 1040ME and the Property Tax Fairness Credit Worksheet, which will be available in January 2014.
“After Jan. 1, 2014, “forms can be downloaded from the Maine Revenue Services website at http://www.maine.gov/revenue/forms or by calling 207-624-7894 to request that a form be mailed. Those who filed a circuit breaker application on or after Aug. 1, 2012, will receive by mail a Form 1040ME booklet at the end of this year, even if they did not file Form 1040ME last year.
“Maine Revenue Services will assist applicants to complete Form 1040ME and the Property Tax Fairness Credit Worksheet. For help, call 207-626-8475 weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed on State recognized holidays.”
Lona LaFrancis is a tax assessor in the City of Presque Isle Finance Department. She can be reached at 760 2714 or via e-mail at llafrancis@presqueisleme.us.
