Important Changes to Homestead and Veteran Exeptions Law

 

HOMESTEAD AND VETERAN EXEMPTIONS LAW CHANGES PASSED IN THE 2015 LEGISLATION SESSION

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION: Orrington residents already receiving the Homestead Property Tax Exemption have seen the increase from $10,000 on their 2015 tax bill, $15,000 on  their 2016 tax bill, to the current exemption amount of $20,000 which was reflected on their 2017 tax bill. 36 M.R.S. §683; LD 1019, c. 267

New Orrington residential property owners: Do you qualify for a homestead exemption? Go to the website listed below to download an application or pick one up at the Town Office.

https://www1.maine.gov/revenue/forms/property/apps/homesteadapp.pdf

All application must be returned to the Assessing office by April 1, 2019

Please note**** one of the qualifications listed on the application for Homestead Exemption is that the property requesting the exemption on (your home) matches the address listed on your driver's license.  Per Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A § 1407, a person who moves from the address listed on their driver's license application they shall notify the Secretary of State within 30 days.  Please make sure you change your address on your driver's license ASAP when moving.  This will ensure you have proper proof of residency!

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VETERAN EXEMPTION: Orrington residential veterans 62 years or older and the widows of a veteran who would be 62 or older; who previously applied for the Veteran’s Exemption and were denied as days served were less then 180 days in the Vietnam War; the law has been amended. It now reads as follows: "The law now only requires that the veteran served on active duty after February 27, 1961 and before May 8, 1975, regardless of the number of days." 36 M.R.S. § 653(1)(C); LD 170; PL 2015, c. 353

If you or your spouse did not qualify because of days served, please come into the Assessing office and reapply. You should bring a copy of the DD214 or other official form verifying dates of entry and separation from the service.

Any resident who is a veteran 62 years or older or the widow of a veteran who would be 62 years or older; served during a recognized war time period and is not already receiving the exemption may pick up an application at the town office or download at: https://www1.maine.gov/revenue/forms/property/apps/

Application must be returned to the Assessing Office by April 1, 2019 with a copy of a DD214 or other official form verifying dates of entry and separation.

RECOGNIZED WAR PERIODS:

  • World War I - April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918, inclusive.
  • World War I - (service in Russia) - April 6, 1917 to March 31, 1920, inclusive.
  • World War II - December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946, inclusive.
  • Korean Campaign - June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955, inclusive.
  • Vietnam War – February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 (active duty after February 27, 1961 and before May 8, 1975,  regardless of the number of days.)
  • Persian Gulf War – August 2, 1990 to the date that the US Government recognizes as the end of that war period (active duty)
  • Other Recognized Service Periods – From August 24, 1982 to July 31, 1984 and from December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990.

ORRINGTON BUSINESS OWNERS

The Assessing office will mail out in January the annual Personal Property Declaration Forms, Letter of instruction and personal property itemized assessment file. The mailing requires by law under State of Maine Property Taxation Title 36 Sec. 706A  taxpayers to furnish the Assessor a true and perfect list of what they possess on the first day of April. The 706A or Declaration Form requests business owners to complete the forms and return to the Assessing Staff by April 26th. The completed form provides the Assessor with your current information allowing us to update the assessment with the items you may have removed or purchased during the year. If you have sold or relocated the business, please update the form and return it with those changes also. The letter also instructs businesses who qualify for the Business Equipment Tax Exemption they are to send in a new application with any items they feel qualify.