The town of Scarborough provides a measure of property tax relief through different programs to qualified individuals; most programs are administered through the state, while others are applied at the local level.
Explore the Assessing Department section of the town of Scarborough website, www.scarboroughmaine.org. Use the Tax Relief page to learn more about these tax relief programs and to access applications and forms. All applications, unless otherwise stated, must be filed on or before April 1. Please check the application for the appropriate deadline date. For any questions, contact the Assessing Department at 207-730-4060.
Property tax exemptions and tax assistance programs
Applications for the exemptions below must be submitted to our assessing office by April 1, 2023.
· Homestead Exemption: For residents who have owned their primary residence in Maine for 12 months with no break in ownership.
· Veteran Exemptions: For Veterans or the surviving spouse, minor child, or widowed parent of a veteran. The veteran must either be age 62 or older, or receive 100 percent disability from the VA, or paraplegic. By state guidelines, only veterans who served during a recognized war period are eligible for this exemption.
o Paraplegic Veteran: For veterans who received a federal grant for a specially adapted housing unit.
· Blind Persons Exemption: For residents determined to be legally blind.
· Renewable Energy Equipment Exemption: Provides exemption for solar panel equipment.
Application submission
For your convenience, there are several ways to submit applications:
1.) In person at our town office;
2.) In the drop box to the right of the front town hall entrance;
3.) Scanned and sent via email (must contain a pen and ink signature (aka, wet signature), as we cannot accept a typed or electronic signature); or
4.) By mail at the following address: Town of Scarborough P.O. Box 360 Scarborough, ME 04070 ATTN: Assessing Department
Property tax assistance program for owners and renters
The town of Scarborough offers its own property tax relief through a property tax assistance program for eligible seniors in Scarborough who own a home or pay rent. If your annual property tax burden exceeds 5 percent of household Adjusted Gross Income, then you may be eligible for a direct rebate check of up to $750 at the end of the year.
For residents who rent, we consider your rent as part of your tax burden. Applications for owners and renters are currently available and the application deadline is Oct. 16, 2023.
Note: We have mailed applications to last year’s applicants. The eligibility requirements are:
· Applicant is age 62 or older as of the application deadline.
· Applicant has been a town resident for at least 10 years as of Oct. 16, 2023.
· Applicant’s household Adjusted Gross Income is not more than $50,000.
When you submit your application, we will need to see identification and proof of income, either your 2022 tax return or your 2022 year-end Social Security benefit statement if you don’t file taxes. If you rent, we will need to see a statement of rent paid between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, along with the date your lease commenced.
Please contact our office at 207-730-4060 or efennell@scarboroughmaine.org if you have any questions.
Property tax stabilization and tax deferral programs
In 2022, the Maine legislature enacted the Property Tax Stabilization for Senior Citizens, also known as the Property Tax Stabilization Program (Title 36, M.R.S.A. Chapter 908-B); the law allows eligible senior citizen residents to stabilize, or freeze, the property taxes on their homestead. The filing deadline for stabilization was Dec. 1, 2022. If you submitted your initial application by the Dec. 1 deadline, and have not heard from us, it has been accepted locally and you will only hear from us if the state has any questions.
Please note that we have not received guidance from the state regarding the 2023 application/reapplication process; once the state releases the 2023 guidelines to municipalities, we will widely publicize them via our online newsletter, website, and the Scarborough Leader.
Property tax deferral program
In 2021, the Maine legislature reinstated the Property Tax Deferral Program (Title 36, M.R.S.A. Section 908) to help seniors and the fully disabled stay in their homes and age in place. For qualified and approved applicants, the state of Maine will pay the property taxes each year. The state will place a lien on the property and all deferred taxes (and accrued interest) are repaid to the state when the property is sold or the applicant passes away. To qualify:
· An owner of the property must be 65 years of age or have a permanent disability that prevents an individual from being employed.
· An applicant or applicants must be the deeded owner and must be receiving a Homestead Exemption.
· Applicants must have an income of less than $40,000 and liquid assets of less than $50,000 ($75,000 if a joint application).
· The property must have no municipal liens for unpaid property taxes filed against it at the time of application.
· Applications must be filed with the assessor’s office between Jan. 1 and April 1 each year. Applications are forwarded to Maine Revenue Services who review the application and make the determination for acceptance and approval.
Questions on this state-managed program can be referred to Maine Revenue Services, Property Tax Division, at 207-624-5600 or prop.tax@maine.gov.
Nick Cloutier is assessor for the town of Scarborough. He can be reached at ncloutier@scarboroughmaine.org.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
