Saco institutes new property tax credit program for qualifying seniors 65 and older. The deadline to apply is Feb. 15. Tammy Wells Photo
SACO — The city of Saco will piggyback a new local property tax relief program for income-eligible residents 65 and older on a state program, and in this inaugural year, will offer qualifying seniors up to twice the amount of the Maine Property Tax Fairness credit.
The deadline to apply is approaching — Saco City Council approved the measure Jan. 10 and applications must be in by Feb. 15.
The new initiative replaces a prior tax work off program and is designed for those who have lived in Saco for a minimum of 10 years as a renter or homeowner, are age 65 or older, and who also qualify for the State of Maine Property Tax Fairness Credit, city officials say. Applicants who are homeowners must have also previously applied for a Homestead Exemption.
Finance Director Glenys Salas told the City Council that the expectation is that applicants would have paid the first half of their property taxes in full and received a property tax fairness credit in 2021.
“We will apply up to two times the credit they received against their second half tax bills,” in the first year of the Saco program, she said. Credits will be applied to the second installment of taxes due in March, hence the Feb. 15 deadline.
“Making sure our older residents can afford to stay in their homes as they age is important to us here at the City of Saco,” said City Administrator Bryan Kaenrath. “Our new local program combined with state assistance will ensure that is possible. Our staff is looking forward to working with community members to make sure they receive all the aid they qualify for.”
The council vote to approve the new program was unanimous.
Saco Communications Director Emily Roy said seniors may find more information and start an application online at www.sacomaine.org/seniortax, by calling 710-2654, or e-mailing the Saco Finance Department at mlavigne@sacomaine.org.
Additional assistance in filling out the application is available through Age Friendly Saco.
“We at Age Friendly Saco are ready to help anyone interested in learning more about his new property tax benefit,” said Director Jean Saunders. Age Friendly Saco can be reached at 710-5029 or at agefriendlysaco@gmail.com.
In a separate program, Saco’s Assessing Department is now also accepting applications to forward to Maine Revenue Services for the State Property Tax Deferral Program, which allows qualifying homeowners to defer payment of the property taxes on their homesteads. The taxes are paid when the owners move, sell the property, or pass away. For more information on this program, visit www.sacomaine.org/assessing. Applications are accepted between Jan. 1 and April 1.
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