The month of August 2007 was stuffed with so many things to do that it has sped by and now is nearly gone. The mailbox, this month, was also stuffed with offers of credit cards, opportunities to donate hard-earned money and about a dozen different ways to communicate with cell phones, various cable television plans and more.
Other than personal mail, about the most worthwhile thing in the box this month was Maine’s Property Tax and Rent Refund Program forms.
If you qualify, you have until June 2, 2008, to file the application – but why wait? This program is also called the Circuit Breaker Program, but that always reminds me of electricity!
In this program, a senior citizen is anyone who was age 62 or over on Dec. 31, 2006 – or age 55 or over if disabled. Applicants are considered disabled if they received federal disability payments. If married, both husband and wife must have received federal disability payments.
If you are a senior and are baffled by the form, you do not need to complete it – simply provide the amount of your 2006 household income and your 2006 property tax amount or rent.
Do you qualify?
Under the program, you may qualify if you can answer yes to all these questions:
• Were you a Maine resident for all of 2006?
• Did you have a home or apartment in Maine for all of 2006?
• Did you live in your home or apartment for at least six months of 2006?
• If you do not have a spouse or dependent, was your 2006 household income $13,200 or less?
• If you do have a spouse or dependent was your 2006 household income $16,300 or less?
Take the booklet you received in the mail, complete the application and mail it in the envelope provided. If you did not receive a booklet, contact your town office and they will have them. Libraries and other community centers usually can provide these booklets as well.
How much will you receive as a refund? That depends on your income.
Here is an example from the booklet: A woman is 68 years old, and lived alone in an apartment she rented all year. Her income was $12,500 and she paid rent of $6,000 not including heat. She would qualify for a $450 refund.
Here’s another example: A couple, both 68 years old, receiving Social Security income totaling $14,600 and assessed property tax of $800 could receive a refund of $300.
There are other property tax relief programs. One is the Veteran Exemption. A veteran who is a Maine resident and who served active duty during a recognized war period and who is 62 years old or older, OR is receiving 100 percent disability as a veteran, OR who became 100 percent disabled while serving, is eligible for property tax relief. A person determined to be legally blind is eligible for tax relief.
Check with your local town office for more information on any of these programs.
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