Property Tax Exemptions & Tax Relief

The Assessor’s Office welcomes all taxpayers to visit or call with any questions pertaining to real estate assessments, or additional information on any of the tax exemption or relief programs.

Homestead Exemption:  Most homeowners whose principal residence is in Maine are entitled to a $20,000 reduction in assessed valuation (adjusted by the community’s ratio of valuation to actual market value). To qualify, homeowners must fill out a simple form declaring property as their principal residence by April 1st in the tax year claimed. Once the application is filed, the exemption remains in effect until the property is sold or changes their place of residence. Forms are available in the Assessor’s Office.

Veterans' Exemption or Widow's Exemption:  Any person who was active in the armed forces of the United States during a federally recognized war campaign period and, if discharged under honorable conditions, may be eligible for a $6,000 reduction in assessed valuation on their primary residence. The veteran must have reached the age of 62 or must be receiving a pension or compensation from the United States Government for total disability, either service or non-service connected. Application forms can be obtained at the Assessor’s Office or can be downloaded here.  Applications must be filed with a copy of discharge documentation on or before April 1st of the year the exemption will go into effect.

Renewable Energy Equipment Exemption: In 2019 the Maine Legislature created a new property tax exemption which exempts renewable energy equipment, such as solar panels, from real estate property tax beginning April 1, 2020. Taxpayers must apply for the exemption by April 1st of the first year the exemption is requested. The application is also available for digital download from the property tax exemptions page of the Maine Revenue Services website. If you have questions about entries on the form, you should check with their installer or refer to the installation or contract documents.

Blind Exemption:  Legal residents of the Town who are certified to be legally blind by their eye care professional are eligible for a partial exemption from taxes on their primary residence. Applications are available in the Assessor’s Office.

Business Equipment Tax Exemption (BETE) Program:  Non-retail items placed in service (since  April 1st, 2007) may be eligible for tax exempt status under the new BETE program. BETE (Business Equipment Tax Exemption) is a 100% tax exemption for eligible non-retail items of personal property first subject to tax on 4/1/08. BETE does not replace the BETR (Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement) program. A separate Business Equipment Tax Exemption application is required.

Application for Exemption from Taxation:  Real estate or personal property owned by governmental entities, school systems, and other institutions may be exempt from taxation.