Hundreds of Scarborough residents are reeling after the first comprehensive property revaluation since 2005 results in big increases.
property taxes
Posted inMaine, sj-web
'Big, bold things' on tap for Democrats in Augusta, Nate Libby says
LEWISTON — With his former dog sitter likely to be the city’s next member of Congress, his party soon to control both the state House and state Senate, and a Democratic governor soon to take office, state Sen. Nate Libby is pretty darn happy. In the wake of Tuesday’s successful election for Democrats in Maine, […]
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Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Regional services facing cuts at the county level
Do you know how much of your property taxes are used to support county government? Farmington residents pay roughly 5 percent of their property taxes toward county operations. So, what do residents get for that 5 percent? County government in Maine provides regional services. Franklin County government is now more than 180 years old and […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Lewiston-Auburn, News
WalMart: Lower taxes? Oxford: No!
OXFORD — Retail giant Walmart asked the Board of Assessors to reduce its real estate valuation by more than $3.5 million. The board said no. Selectmen, who also act as assessors, voted 3-0 on April 19 against the request of Walmart Real Estate Business Trust to reduce its valuation from a little more than $11.5 […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Portland revaluation could send property taxes soaring
PORTLAND — Portland officials are poised to walk down what can often be a politically perilous path – one that could lead to significant property tax increases for some property owners, and tax reductions for others. On Monday, the City Council will receive an overview of a request from city staff to conduct a citywide […]
Posted inNation / World
IRS says many who prepaid property taxes may still face cap on deductions
People across the United States rushed this week to pay their 2018 property taxes early, hoping to take advantage one last time of a federal deduction for state and local taxes that will be scaled back under the tax-code overhaul signed by President Donald Trump. On Wednesday, however, the Internal Revenue Service announced that those […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
How much did state contribute?
According to the Sun Journal, residents of Auburn and property owners approved the city’s budget with the understanding that any money the Auburn School Department received from the state would be used to lower property taxes. In studying my property tax bill, the only reduction applied was the $20,000 Homestead exemption. There is no information […]
Posted inLetters
Taxing nonprofit organizations
On May 9, the Taxation Committee for the Legislature will be voting on LD 1521, an Act to Amend the Property Tax Laws. Passage would allow municipalities to impose new taxes on nonprofit organizations in lieu of property tax exemptions. The legislation has language that helps protect organizations such as the Hope Association, but passage […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Memorial Bridge walkers remain in the dark
RUMFORD — With the days getting shorter, Memorial Bridge remains in the dark — without working lighting on all 10 of its fixtures. At the Board of Selectmen’s meeting Thursday, Town Manager John Madigan said town Road Commissioner Andy Russell had asked the Maine Department of Transportation about the lighting issue a month earlier. Madigan said […]
Posted inLetters
J. Collins: Budget negatively affects towns
There are many reasons why many people will face another increase in property taxes this year. Gov. Paul LePage’s budget is $50 million higher this year than last year. Someone is going to be paying higher taxes. Enacted in 1972, Municipal Revenue Sharing was designed to return 5 percent of sales and income tax revenues […]