The Westbrook assessor wants residents to be sure they have applied for any tax relief programs they may qualify for. Many of the exemptions have a deadline of April 1, so please review your tax bill or call the Assessor’s Office to see if you are eligible for any of these programs that may help with your property taxes. All of the applications are on the city’s Web page at www.westbrookmaine.com or are available by calling the Assessor’s Office at 854-9105, ext. 225.

Maine Homestead Exemption Program

This program exempts up to $13,000 of the value of your primary residence. It lowered tax bills in Westbrook by a little more than $200 for each eligible household last year. If you have already applied for this program, you do not need to apply again on the same property. It is important to note that if you have recently moved or sold your property, you must reapply for the exemption on your current home.

Applications must be received by the tax assessor by April 1 in the year that the exemption is first granted. Applications received after April 1 will not become effective until the following tax year.

Blind Exemption

Applications for this $4,000 exemption are due by April 1. Proof of eligibility would be a statement from your doctor stating that you are legally blind. Applications received after this date will not impact your property tax bill until August 2010.

Veterans Exemption

The veteran’s exemption, which is for veterans who have reached age 62 and who served during a federally recognized war period or who are 100 percent disabled and receiving a pension as a veteran, has been increased to $6,000 for the 2008 fiscal year. Applications are due by April 1. Applications received after this date will not impact your property tax bill until August 2010. Please provide a copy of your discharge papers, the DD214, with the application.

Property Tax and Rent Refund Program

This program, also known as the Circuit Breaker, was enacted by the Legislature and directed to individuals whose property taxes exceed a certain amount of their income. Renters, as well as homeowners, can take advantage of the circuit breaker program. A person does not need to own his or her home to be eligible. Applications for the state administered property tax and rent refund program are taken between Aug. 1 and the following May 31. Applications are still being accepted by the state for the 2007 tax year (income taxes paid in 2007; property tax assessed as of April 1, 2007).

In its 2005 session, the 122nd Maine Legislature expanded the circuit breaker program with increased eligibility guidelines and increased benefit amounts. Additional details on this program are available through the forms, which are available at City Hall, or they can be downloaded at www.maine.gov/revenue/forms/tnr/tnr.htm.