Tax , rent rebate applications ready

To the Editor:

Refunds of up to $1,600 are now available for property taxes or rent paid in 2011. The state refund program, called “Circuit Breaker,” provides middle and low-income Maine residents with a partial refund of local property taxes and/or rent paid on their primary residence.

This is an excellent way to put more money back in the pockets of Maine families.

To qualify, an applicant's 2011 adjusted household income must be $64,950 or less ($86,600 for those with spouse or dependents).

In addition, an applicant's 2011 property tax must have been more than four percent (or rent more than 20 percent) of their 2011 household income. Low-income seniors do not need to meet this requirement.

Nearly 200,000 Maine households may qualify for a partial refund of local property tax assessed and/or rent they paid in 2011, according to Maine Revenue Services.

The application is available on-line at http://www.maine.gov/revenue/forms/tnr/tnr.htm. Call Maine Revenue Services at 626-8475 for additional information. You may also contact me at RepTerry.Hayes@legislature.maine.gov.

Rep. Terry Hayes

D-Buckfield, Hartford, Paris and Sumner