August is the month that the Maine Property Tax and Rent Refund applications become available to all Maine Residents. The purpose of the Property Tax and Rent Refund program is to help Maine homeowners offset the high cost of property taxes assessed on their primary residences. It also offers similar relief to Maine residents who pay rent for occupancy of their principle place of abode.

2010 income limits to file for the General program are: $64, 9500 for a single person, and $86,600 for a married couple.   Income limits for the Senior program are: $14,700 for a single person and 18,200 for a married couple.   Seniors are processed under both program criteria, and will receive the larger refund of the two.   Refunds may be as much as $400 for the Senior program and $1,600 for the General program.

If you pay property taxes or rent an apartment and want to know you qualify for this program, please call Spectrum Generations at 1-800-639-1553, TTY: 1-800-464-8703.   If you have filed in the past, then you should automatically receive a new application in the mail during the month of August.   Spectrum Generations can also mail you an application after August 1st, or help you fill one out at one of our centers.   Applications may also be filed online after August 1st, 2010 at: http://www.maine.gov/revenue/homepage.html.

Spectrum Generations will be holding clinics throughout the month of August to help individuals complete and submit their 2009 Maine State Residence Property Tax and Rent Refund Program application forms.  These clinics are by appointment only; please call the Spectrum Generations Community Center closest to you to set up an appointment.  There is no fee for this service. 

Please plan on bringing the following information with you:

2009 Federal & State Tax Forms

(if you did not file taxes in 2009, please

bring receipt of your total yearly income)

Copy of Property Tax Bill as of April 2009

The amount of Rent Paid in 2009

Name and Phone Number of Landlord