Senator Carol Weston Urges Residents to Apply for Property Tax and Rent Refunds

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUST 24, 2007

AUGUSTA- Senator Weston (R- Montville) is urging constituents to file for their 2007 Property Tax and Rent Refund. This program, also known as the “Circuit Breaker Program”, provides refunds up to $2000 to any Maine property owner or renter that meets certain income criteria.

“This is a great opportunity for the 200,000 Maine households that qualify to get real relief from the high Maine taxes” Senator Weston stated. “I want to make sure that all of the taxpayers and renters in my district take advantage of this program”

More than 200,000 people are eligible for the Circuit Breaker rebate, but many Maine homeowners and renters don’t apply and never receive their property tax rebates.

Maine residents can get a refund if they are single making $80,750 or less or are married or have a dependent and make less than $105,750. In order to qualify for a refund, 2006 property taxes must be more than 4 percent of household income, or the yearly rent paid must be more than 20 percent of household income.

Senior citizens do not need to meet these requirements if their income levels fall below $13,200 if they are single and $16,300 if they are married or have a dependent.

All application for the 2007 program (for refunds of property tax assessed and rent paid during 2006) must be filed to Maine Revenue Services by June 2, 2008.

Applications can be obtained by going to a local town office, library, Area Agency on Aging, Community Action Program Office. Residents can also call for an application at Senator Weston’s office at 287-1505 or Maine Revenue Services at 626-8475. Applications are also accepted online by visiting the Maine State website at maine.gov.

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