Deferred Collection of Homestead Property Taxes (Program Phasing Out)

Maine

2021

No Variation in Receipt of Benefits

Deferral

Applications must have been filed before 1 April 1991. The benefit is a deferral of all property taxes due. This program is being phased-out. A deferral constitutes a lien on the property that accrues interest at the rate of 6% per annum. An application for deferral is good for the assessment year in which it was approved. The amount of deferred taxes plus interest is due April 30th of the following assessment year. All deferred taxes and interest are payable if: the claimant dies, or the property is sold, or the claimant moves, or the home is moved out of state. Applications for this program may no longer be filed.

Other

Residential

Eligible property includes owner-occupied principal dwelling, either real or personal property, owned by the taxpayer and up to 10 contiguous acres upon which it is located.

Age

Homeowner

Income Ceiling

Principal Residence

Claimant must be 65 years of age or older and total household income cannot exceed $32,000. The property must be the homestead of the claimant, the claimant must own the property in part or in full, and there must be no legal documents with superior standing prohibiting the deferral of state property taxes on the property.

Local government is unable to exercise an option

No local option regarding program features

State reimburses all of the local government tax loss

The state reimburses municipalities for the full amount of the deferred taxes due. However, the State Tax Assessor is authorized to prorate payments to municipalities for deferral claims if the amount available in the Senior Property Tax Deferral Revolving Account in any fiscal year is insufficient to make full payments to all municipalities.

ME108_RR21