Tax Relief
Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent "Circuit Breaker" Refund
Summary of the Program Beginning August 1, 2009 for Refunds of Property Tax Assessed and Rent Paid During 2008. (Note: The program to apply for refunds of property tax assessed and/or rent paid during 2009 begins August 1, 2010.)
Nearly 200,000 Maine households qualify for a partial refund of property tax assessed and/or rent they paid in 2008. The maximum refund available is $1,600.
You may qualify for a refund if:
- You do not have a spouse or dependent(s) and your 2008 household income was $61,400 or less; or
- You do have a spouse or dependent(s) and your 2008 household income was $81,850 or less
AND
- Your 2008 property tax was more than 4% of your 2008 household income; or
- The rent you paid in 2008 was more than 20% of your 2008 household income.
NOTE: Seniors do not need to meet this requirement when their household income is below $13,900 for those living alone or below $17,200 for those living with a spouse or dependent. See the application booklet for more information on who qualifies for the senior portion of the program.
