CIRCUIT BREAKER HELP

Homeowners waiting to see whether the Palesky tax cap passes should keep in mind that Maine already has a property-tax break for those who qualify. The Circuit Breaker Program (officially, the Property Tax and Rent Refund) knocks up to $1,000 off annual property taxes, a lot of money for anyone on a tight budget, but it is too often ignored in the debate over the tax cap.

Applying for the Circuit Breaker is straightforward. If you live alone and earn less than $30,300 or live with a spouse or dependent and earn less than $46,900, you qualify if your mortgage or rent exceed 4 percent of your income. You don’t have to figure out the second part; the state will. The formula for the level of reimbursement is somewhat complicated after that, but applying is easy – applications can be found in town offices, Community Action Programs or can be sent from the Maine Revenue Service (624-7894; you get a recording at that number, but ask for a circuit breaker form and leave your name and address).

Clearly for people with low incomes who have watched the value and, therefore, tax levels rise on their homes, even a $1,000 break isn’t sufficient. Various proposals within the Legislature last year would have returned to the Circuit Breaker Program to the generous levels it reached before the recession of the early ’90s. They failed spectacularly, providing pro-Palesky taxpayers with the argument that, for all their talk, state politicians haven’t been able to pass anything better.

Despite the reimbursement limits, the Circuit Breaker delivered benefits to 61,000 Mainers last year. Added to the Homestead exemption (applications also available through town offices) the program helps and shouldn’t be forgotten in the debate this fall over the tax cap. The deadline for applications is the end of the year.