The tax reform debate is expected to heat up in the coming weeks as legislative leaders from both parties negotiate how to allocate nearly $1 billion in surplus revenue.
income tax
Maine Revenue Services rolls out latest online tax system services
New portal replaces most current online services for business taxpayers; complete rollout dates announced.
Poliquin, Pingree weigh in on House tax bill
U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin (AP file photo) Calling for “fairer and lower taxes for Maine families,” U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin on Thursday said of his initial review of a proposed sweeping tax overhaul in Congress that it “could have a significant impact on the amount of take-home pay in people’s paychecks.” The House plan unveiled […]
Republicans need a better tax plan for 2017
By Ramesh Ponnuru Bloomberg View It is not 1981 anymore. That is the message of an editorial in the conservative Weekly Standard, which warns Republicans not to design a tax reform patterned on the one that Ronald Reagan signed in his first year as president. Mimicking the Reagan tax cuts is a temptation both because […]
Trump plan to end state and local tax deductions likely to prove difficult
As Republicans try to figure out a way to deliver on tax cuts President Donald Trump promised, they’re taking a hard look at the possibility of eliminating the income tax deduction for state and local taxes. Though Congress is unlikely to go along, it’s a move that would sock many Maine taxpayers who file federal […]
Bill would exempt retirees age 70 or older from paying state income tax
AUGUSTA — A proposal to exempt Mainers who are both retired and at least 70 years old from paying any state income tax is under consideration by the Legislature’s Tax Committee. Though its sponsor, Rep. Robert Foley, R-Wells, said the idea “may be too drastic a step right now,” he urged colleagues this week to […]
Sen. Eric Brakey developing plan to end corporate income tax
Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, laid out a plan to bulldoze many of Maine’s convoluted set of business tax exemptions. The plan from Brakey is just a concept at this stage, but he told the Legislature’s Taxation Committee that it targets 47 tax programs that he termed “corporate welfare,” costing the state between $425 million and […]
Gov. Paul LePage may seek referendum to abolish income tax
Gov. Paul LePage is still eyeing ways to accomplish his long-stated goal of eliminating Maine’s income tax. Rather than try to sway a wary Legislature, the governor is looking at a referendum question that would let voters decide whether to do away with “this unruly income tax.” LePage told Portland radio station WGAN Thursday that […]
Maine GOP, Paul LePage plan citizen initiatives on taxes, welfare
More State House coverage: LePage holding town meeting at UMF Tuesday | LePage says nominations on hold during ‘cooldown period’ AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage and the Maine Republican Party will go straight to a statewide vote in pursuit of his goals of eliminating the income tax and implementing a variety of reforms to social services. That LePage […]
Senate Democrats block LePage’s income tax repeal
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s bid to ask Maine voters if they want to eliminate the income tax was blocked in the Senate by Democrats on Tuesday. The bill garnered support from majority Republicans in the Senate but resistance from Democrats kept it from getting the necessary two-thirds support. LePage’s bill, LD 1367, will be […]