SCARBOROUGH, MAINE - Sean Flaherty, candidate for Maine House of Representatives in Scarborough, is urging seniors and any struggling citizens of Scarborough to make use of state funds that ease the burden of property taxes.   Flaherty, running for the Maine State House, says that while campaigning door to door, he has met some people recently who say they will have a hard time paying their Scarborough property taxes, which are due on October l5th.

“The the state has some ways to ease this burden,” Flaherty says. “There are some people I have known for 20 years growing up in Scarborough who are retired, have no source of income, and cannot write a check to the town for a growing property tax bill. Those folks should be told of the methods of help available to them.”

Maine residents who paid more than 4% of their 2007 income in property taxes may qualify for a rebate.  Renters may qualify if they paid more than 20% of their income in rent.  For low-income seniors, the 4% and 20% limits are waived.

“Maine’s Property Tax and Rent “Circuit Breaker” Refund Program was created to keep people faced with high property values in their homes,” said Flaherty.  “Yet for years, fewer than half of those who qualify for the rebate have filed to receive it.”

To apply for the rebate, call Sean Flaherty at 450-4188, email him at seanflahertyforscarborough@gmail.com, pick up an application at Town Hall, or even file online.

The online application is available at www.maine.gov/revenue/taxrelief.

Additional tax reductions are available at the same website for veterans and their relatives, farmers, homeowners, and many businesses

“Government should help people in dire need,” he says. “I hope they will take advantage of this assistance.”

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