The Town of Scarborough has several forms of tax relief available to residents who are looking for assistance with their taxes.
There are several exemptions for residents that can reduce the annual tax bill. Applications for these xemptions must be submitted to our office by April 1. These exemptions are:
• The Homestead Exemption, for residents who have owned their primary residence in Maine for 12 months with no break in ownership.
• The Veteran’s Exemption, for veterans or the surviving spouse, minor child, or widowed parent of a veteran. The veteran must either be age 62 or older, or receive 100 percent disability from the VA, or paraplegic. By state guidelines, only veterans who served during a recognized war period are eligible for this exemption.
• The Blind Persons Exemption, for residents who are legally blind.
• The Renewable Energy Equipment Exemption. Beginning April 1, the Town of Scarborough will begin taxing solar panel equipment. This equipment can be exempt through the State of Maine Renewable Energy Exemption application. Applications submitted after April 1, 2022 will not go into effect until the following year.
Submit the application by email, in-person, by mail, or in the drop box to the right of the front Town Hall entrance. If you submit the application by email, please note that it must be signed as we cannot accept an electronic signature.
In addition, the town has a Property Tax Assistance Program for seniors in Scarborough. If your annual property tax burden exceeds 5 percent of household Adjusted Gross Income, then you may be eligible for a rebate of up to $750 at the end of the year. For residents who rent, we consider your rent as part of your tax burden. The deadline to apply is Oct. 17, 2022.
The three eligibility requirements are:
Applicant is age 62 or older as of the application deadline
Applicant has been a town resident for at least 10 years as of Oct. 17, 2022
Applicant’s household Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is not more than $50,000
When you submit your application, we will need to see identification and proof of income, either your 2021 Tax Return or your 2021 year-end Social Security Benefit Statement if you don’t file taxes. If you rent, we will also need a statement of rent paid between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022.
Applications are available for the Property Tax Assistance Program at scarboroughmaine.org (Go to Assessing Department from menu) or in the Assessing Office. We have mailed applications to last year’s applicants.
Contact our office at (207) 730-4063 or efennell@scarboroughmaine.org if you have any questions.
Also, in 2021, the Maine legislature reinstated the property tax deferral program (Title 36, M.R.S.A. Section 908) to help seniors and the fully disabled stay in their homes and age in place. For qualified and approved applicants, the State of Maine will pay the property taxes each year. The state will place a lien on the property and all deferred taxes (and accrued interest) are repaid to the state when the property is sold or the applicant passes away.
To qualify:
An owner of the property must be 65 years of age or have a permanent disability that prevents an individual from being employed.
An applicant or applicants must be the deeded owner and must be receiving a Homestead Exemption.
Applicants must have an income of less than $40,000 and liquid assets of less than $50,000 ($75,000 if a joint application).
The property must have NO municipal liens for unpaid property taxes filed against it at the time of application.
Applications must be filed with the Assessor’s Office between January 1 and April 1 each year. Applications are forwarded to Maine Revenue Services who review the application and make the determination for acceptance and approval.
Questions on this State Managed Program can be referred to Maine Revenue Services, Property Tax Division, at (207) 624-5600 or prop.tax@maine.gov. Kevin Boyle is the current contact person for the program and can be reached directly at kevin.c.boyle@maine.gov or (207) 592-3816.
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