Property tax, rent refund applications available

by Staff Pioneer Times
16 years ago

    AUGUSTA – Reps. Patricia Sutherland, D-Chapman, Richard Cleary, D-Houlton, Herb Clark, D-Millinocket, and Henry Joy, R-Crystal, would like their constituents to know that Property Tax and Rent Refund applications for rent and taxes paid in 2007 are now available. Mainers who submitted a 2006 application will automatically be sent a 2007 application from Maine Revenue Services beginning July 28. Maine Revenue Services will begin accepting applications on a rolling basis on Aug. 1.
    Maine homeowners and renters may be eligible for a refund of up to $2,000 through the program, which is commonly known as the “Circuit Breaker” program. The refund is available to homeowners and renters who meet the income requirements: families earning up to $80,000 are eligible, as well as individuals earning up to $60,000.
    Low-income seniors are eligible for a separate refund program and may be rewarded a larger benefit. Maine Revenue Services will calculate the benefit for applicants, and senior claimants will receive the larger of either the Senior refund or the General refund.
    “I encourage all tax payers to look into this program, as it saves many tax payers a considerable amount of money,” said Sutherland. “Both home owners and renters can take advantage of this program. If you have never applied before, please check it out to see if you are eligible.”
    In order to qualify for a refund, 2007 property taxes must be more than four percent of household income, or the yearly rent paid must be more than 20 percent of household income.
    More than 200,000 people are eligible for the Circuit Breaker rebate, but many Maine homeowners and renters don’t apply and forfeit their rebates.
    Applications are available online at www.maine.gov/revenue and can be printed out and mailed or submitted electronically. Applicants can also have a paper copy of the application sent to them by contacting Rep. Sutherland at 764-1490 or by e-mail at psutherland@sutherlandweston.com; by contacting Rep. Cleary at 532-7526 or by e-mail at rccleary68@hotmail.com; and by contacting Rep. Joy at 463-2507 in Crystal or 287-1440 in Augusta.