Area Reps. remind of tax deadline

    AUGUSTA – State Reps. Bernard Ayotte (R-Caswell), Tyler Clark (R-Easton) and Peter Edgecomb (R-Caribou) remind area residents that the application period for Maine’s Property Tax and Rent Refund Program ends Monday May 31, for taxes and rent paid during 2008. Under this program, commonly known as the “circuit breaker,” Mainers who qualify are eligible for refunds of up to $1,600. It is the state government’s primary program to provide property tax relief.     Under the guidelines, residents may qualify for a refund if they do not have a spouse or dependents and their 2008 income was $61,400 or less. If taxpayers do have a spouse or dependents, their income could have been to $81,850 in 2008 and still qualify. Also, to receive a refund, a 2008 property tax must have exceeded 4 percent of the income. It is important to remember that this is tax relief to which individuals are entitled, not welfare.
    Renters qualify if the rent they paid in 2008 exceeded 20 percent of their income. Seniors do not need to meet this property tax or rent requirement if their household income was below $13,900 for those living alone or below $17,200 for those living with a spouse or dependent.
    The application is available online through the Maine Revenue Services (MRS) website at http://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxrelief/homepage.html. 
    In addition to a copy of the paper application, which residents may print out and mail to MRS, there is also a link to the online application site. Online applications are easier, as they automatically perform all necessary calculations and cost less to process.