BANGOR – Jerome Gerard, acting executive director of Maine Revenue Services, announced that distribution of the 2003 Maine individual income tax booklets began during the last week of January, and that most taxpayers can expect to receive booklets in the mail by the end of the first week of February.

Maine income tax forms are available at most local municipal offices, banks, post offices and libraries. All forms and instructions may be viewed and downloaded from the Maine Revenue Services Web site at www.maine.gov/revenue.

The printing process for income tax booklets and returns typically begins in early October of each year, with tax booklets mailed to taxpayers during the first half of January. However, because Maine’s income tax is based in part on federal adjusted gross income, a number of tax bills that were pending in U.S. Congress last fall could have had an impact on state income tax forms and instructions. Therefore, the printing process was delayed until shortly after Congress had adjourned for the Thanksgiving holiday, by which time it had finally become clear to state officials that significant federal changes for the 2003 tax year were unlikely.

Taxpayers with questions about their Maine income tax are encouraged to call Maine Revenue Services at 626-8475 or visit www.maine.gov/revenue.