Gov. John Baldacci and Jerome D. Gerard, acting executive director of the Maine Revenue Services, have announced the 2005 Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund Program is now accepting applications starting.

Municipal officials have been sent information about the expanded program and the governor will be following up with elected municipal officials.

“I am pleased that the Program has been expanded to provide property tax and rent relief to more people than ever before,” said Baldacci. “Though the Senior refund portion of the program remains mostly unchanged, the general portion of the program now provides refunds of up to $2,000 to persons of any age whose household income for 2004 was not more than $74,500 for single-member households and not more than $99,500 for those who lived with a spouse or dependent(s).”

To qualify for a refund, the 2004 property tax must be more than 4 percent of household income or the rent paid must be more than 20 percent of household income.

Senior program refunds are available to applicants who were at least 62 in 2004 (55 or over if disabled). In addition, for persons living alone, the household income for 2004 cannot be more than $12,400; for a single person living with a dependent, or a married person who lived with a spouse, the 2004 household income cannot be more than $15,300.

Generally, renters who lived in subsidized housing (paid in part by the government) do not qualify for a tax or rent rebate. However, senior applicants and certain disabled applicants living in subsidized housing may qualify for a refund.

Applicants who qualify for both the senior and general refunds will receive the larger of the two.

Applications must be filed between Aug. 1, 2005, and May 31, 2006.

Applications may be filed by computer using I-file at www.maine.gov/revenue or by telephone using a Telefile System. Applications may also be filed by mail. I-file requires access to a computer with an internet connection. Free internet access is available at most local libraries in Maine.

Applications are available at the Maine Revenue Services’ Taxpayer Service Center (Muskie Federal Building, Sewall Street in Augusta), Municipal Offices, local libraries, Area Agencies on Aging and Community Action Agencies, or by calling 624-7894, everyday, 24 hours (to leave your name and address). Forms are also downloadable from the web at www.maine.gov/revenue (select “Forms, Publications & Applications”, then select “2005 Forms” (listed under Income/Estate Tax), then scroll down to select the appropriate link listed under “Maine Residents Property Tax Relief Program”).

Applicants who have questions can call 626-8475, or write to: Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund Program, Maine Revenue Services, PO Box 9116, Augusta, Maine 04332-9116.

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