MAINE PROPERTY TAXES - questions (Bangor, Augusta: real estate, homes, transfer)

[RiverBird]

My daughter and her family are still considering a move to Maine. I am the designated researcher.

- When property taxes are listed on a real estate sheet, is that amount "at this moment" and then it goes up when the property transfers to new owner (you)?

- She read on a "taxes by state" website that senior citizens can reduce what they pay by being in a lower income category and/or by volunteering (something like $700 reduction on volunteering) - any more info on this?

- If one lives within a regular town (not urban) with town water and sewer, does one pay just the town/city tax or that plus a county tax?

- Are there many "override" pressures in Maine (not sure you all have capped rates)?

- I guess I should also ask about excise tax on car. Hers is a 2005 Toyota Corolla. What can she expect to pay annually on tax? They don't have any boats, etc)

Thanks for any info, and if there's one agency that answers all please let us know.

[AustinB]

All Maine counties assess a tax on the towns. You only pay a tax to the town. The town pays taxes to the county.
Please feel free to check the state website in regards to excise taxes.
The property taxes listed are usually the latest taxes from the town. The taxes charged to the new owners, at the next tax time only go up if there is an increase in town taxes, or if there has been a re-evaluation. In most towns, the good old boy network has gone by the wayside.

[Maineac]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

My daughter and her family are still considering a move to Maine. I am the designated researcher.

- When property taxes are listed on a real estate sheet, is that amount "at this moment" and then it goes up when the property transfers to new owner (you)?

Usually the amount of tax assessed for the prior year. Real estate sheets don't usually have the tax valuation itself listed. No increase if a property transfers. If not change in the town's rate or budget, no increase next year.

- She read on a "taxes by state" website that senior citizens can reduce what they pay by being in a lower income category and/or by volunteering (something like $700 reduction on volunteering) - any more info on this?

Maine has a homestead exemption, veteran's exemption and others. Ask your Tax dept in the town. They have all the forms.

- If one lives within a regular town (not urban) with town water and sewer, does one pay just the town/city tax or that plus a county tax?

"County taxes" are collected by the municipality to support the Sheriff's Dept., Registry of Deeds and other County level services. The "County" does not dictate what the municipalities do with their money. Water and sewer bills are municipal, and separate from property tax.

- Are there many "override" pressures in Maine (not sure you all have capped rates)?

It's been tried, but not caps yet.

- I guess I should also ask about excise tax on car. Hers is a 2005 Toyota Corolla. What can she expect to pay annually on tax? They don't have any boats, etc)

Too much. Ask your town office.

Thanks for any info, and if there's one agency that answers all please let us know.

Maine Revenue Services, Augusta, ME.

[mainebrokerman]

Taxes can vary greatly by town, so if you have a particular area/region you are searching, be sure to check all the neighboring towns- you can call the towns office for mill/assessment rates

[Northern Maine Land Man]

- When property taxes are listed on a real estate sheet, is that amount "at this moment" and then it goes up when the property transfers to new owner (you)?

No.

- She read on a "taxes by state" website that senior citizens can reduce what they pay by being in a lower income category and/or by volunteering (something like $700 reduction on volunteering) - any more info on this?

Seniors can get a reduction in the amount they pay per year. However, the amount owed builds. When the senior dies the town gets the money from the estate. If there is not enough left to cover the tax the town takes the property. The system allows seniors to live out their days in their own home.

- If one lives within a regular town (not urban) with town water and sewer, does one pay just the town/city tax or that plus a county tax?

Most towns bill water, sewer and property taxes separately. School, county and property taxes are combined in one bill.

- Are there many "override" pressures in Maine (not sure you all have capped rates)?

We don't have that in Maine.

- I guess I should also ask about excise tax on car. Hers is a 2005 Toyota Corolla. What can she expect to pay annually on tax? They don't have any boats, etc)

Excise taxes on vehicles drop every year until five years. A town clerk could tell you the tax on a Corolla.

Thanks for any info, and if there's one agency that answers all please let us know.

That would be me. I can tell you the 2008 tax rate in any town in Maine. The 2009 rates have not been reported yet. They usually run a year or more behind.

[Maineac]

Actually, the "2009" fiscal tax year ran from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. The 2010 fiscal year ends at the end of this month, and the 2011 fiscal year begins July 1. Mil rates are set, along with valuations on or shortly after April 1 each year for the "current" tax year bills. Everyone's "2010" mil rate is already in place, I'm fairly certain. That's so they can send out tax bills in the next couple of months for "2010." Check into it, and I'll admit its been about 15 years since I was certified as a State Tax Assessor.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Don't get too anxious. Most districts have not even seen their proposed school budgets yet this year, much less voted on them. Tax rates cannot be computed until school budgets are approved.

Many towns are still trying to join a new district and don't even know what district they will be in. They must vote to join, but the district must also accept them. This whole chaotic situation is made worse by threatened penalties imposed by the Democrats.

[Maineac]

I think Bangor claims its at 19.10/1000 or 18.10 a thousand for FY 2009. Hermon's commitment was done 9/9 of last year for 2009, with a mil rate (yaHOO!) of $11.00/$1000. I believe you'll find the commitments are done based on the legal necessity of declaring assessed valuations as of April 1 each year, and they get done late summer for the current fiscal year (2010) and the bills go out in September, as I recall, payable in two installments. Maybe some are lagging, but the State won't let them do that for very long without, yes, penalizing them. And I'll bet those nasty Democrats aren't the only ones that vote on the penalites for non compliance with laws that apply to all municipalities.

Call Dave Ledew at the State Tax Assessor's Office. He can tell you better than anyone what's up, and he answers his phone. I always managed to get through to him.

[hlmagan]

Mil rates are set at different times for each town, and that time can vary from year to year. Tax commitments won't be set until the town approves the budget. Some towns provide their tax rates and commitment books online, so she may be able to research the tax bills for the last couple of years depending on where she's looking to settle. Keep in mind that the tax amount she sees may include a Homestead Exemption. Since she wouldn't be eligible for this until after she's owned the home for a year, her tax assessment would be higher by approx. $13,000.

If she can't find tax information online, she can call the town office. http://http://www.maine.gov/local/ is a search page that provides contact information for town offices. Property taxes for unorganized territories are managed by the State of Maine Property Tax Division.

Good luck!

[retiredtinbender]

Homestead has dropped to $10,000 of the assessment this year. They did not, however, touch the Vet exemption or the tax dodges.