Property Tax Rates In Brunswick, Maine

Property taxes in Brunswick, Maine, are assessed to the owner of the property as of April 1 of the given year. The amount of tax is determined by multiplying the assessed value of the property by the tax rate, with the former being established by the Brunswick Tax Assessor. The Assessing Office maintains tax records on over 9,800 real estate accounts and 1,000 personal property accounts, and all property is subject to taxation unless exempted by law or subject to another form of taxation, such as excise tax.

Property tax due dates

Property taxes in Brunswick, Maine, are assessed to the owner of the record as of April 1 of each year for their real and personal property. The amount of tax is calculated by multiplying the assessed value of the property by the tax rate. The assessed value is determined by the Brunswick Tax Assessor, who also sets the tax rate in accordance with the Brunswick Town Council's budget requirements.

The fiscal year in Brunswick runs from July 1 to June 30, and tax bills are typically mailed out by the second week of September to the owner of the record as of April 1. For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the commitment date was September 15, 2023, and tax bills were mailed out by September 25, 2023.

Real estate property taxes are due in two instalments. For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the due dates are October 31, 2023, and April 16, 2024. Personal property taxes, on the other hand, are due in full by October 31, 2023.

It's important to note that any taxes not paid by the due date incur an interest rate of 8% per annum. The Town of Brunswick has the right to acquire properties with unpaid taxes through the tax lien mortgage process.

If you have any questions or concerns about your property tax assessment, payment options, or due dates, you can contact the Brunswick Tax Assessor's Office or the Brunswick Finance Department, Tax Collection Division, during their office hours.

Property tax exemptions

Property owners in Brunswick, Maine, can benefit from a number of property tax relief programs and exemptions. These include:

Homestead Property Tax Exemption

This program provides tax relief for individuals who have owned and occupied a homestead property in Maine as their permanent residence for at least 12 months as of April 1. Eligible property owners can claim an exemption of $25,000 (at a 100% assessment ratio). To apply, individuals must provide proof of residency and submit an application to the Assessor's Office by April 1 of the first year in which the exemption is requested.

Veteran Property Tax Exemption

Veterans who served during a recognised war period and meet certain age or disability criteria are eligible for this exemption. The exemption amount is $6,000 (at a 100% assessment ratio) for veterans aged 62 or older, or those receiving 100% disability. Paraplegic veterans who received a federal grant for a specially adapted housing unit are also eligible for an exemption of $50,000 (at a 100% assessment ratio). Applications must be submitted to the Assessor's Office by April 1 of the first year in which the exemption is requested.

Legally Blind Exemption

Individuals who are legally blind and can provide certification from a licensed medical professional are eligible for an exemption of $4,000 (at a 100% assessment ratio). Applications are submitted to the Assessor's Office by April 1 of the first year in which the exemption is requested.

Renewable Energy Investment Exemption

This exemption applies to eligible renewable energy equipment, such as solar panels, installed on residential or commercial properties in Brunswick. To qualify, the energy produced must be consumed at the location of the array or the customer must receive a net energy billing/metering credit. Applications are submitted to the Assessor's Office by April 1 of the first year in which the exemption is requested, and there is no need to refile annually unless new equipment is added.

Senior Tax Assistance Program

The Town of Brunswick offers a financial assistance program for renters and property taxpayers aged 65 or older who have resided in the town for at least 10 years. Applicants must have received the Homestead Exemption for the year in which the rebate is requested and have paid their taxes in full. Applications are submitted to the Finance Office by November 1, and must be refiled annually.

Property Tax Deferral

The State of Maine offers a loan program to cover property tax bills for individuals aged 65 and older, or those who are permanently disabled and unable to work. To qualify, individuals must own and occupy the property as their principal residence and receive a Homestead Exemption. The program has specific income and asset requirements, and applications are submitted to the Assessor's Office by April 1 of the first year in which the deferral is requested.

Property tax payment methods

The Town of Brunswick, Maine mails out property tax bills to residents, who can then pay using a number of methods. These include:

• By check through the mail
• Cash, check, or credit card in person
• Credit card online (through Maine Payport, a third-party provider, which incurs additional fees)

The Town of Brunswick's fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30, with tax bills generally mailed by the second week of September. Real estate property taxes are due in two instalments, while personal property taxes are due in full by October 31.

Any tax not paid by the due date is subject to interest at the rate of 8% per annum.

For questions about the online payment option, residents can call the Brunswick Finance Department, Tax Collection Division at 207-725-6657.

Property tax valuation

Property tax is calculated based on the value of the property, including the land and the buildings on it. The market value of a property is assessed using one or a combination of three methods: performing a sales evaluation, the cost method, and the income method. The market value is then multiplied by an assessment rate to arrive at the assessed value.

The assessed value of a property is determined by a tax assessor, who examines how a property will be taxed. This value is used to calculate the property tax bill and influences the amount for which a house will sell. The assessor will consider comparable sales in the area, including location, the condition of the property, any improvements, and overall market conditions. They will also take into account the replacement costs for the property, maintenance costs, income generated from the property, and interest charges.

In Brunswick, Maine, property taxes are assessed to the owner of record as of April 1 of the given year against real and personal property. The amount of tax is equal to the assessed value times the tax rate, which is established by the Brunswick Tax Assessor in accordance with the requirements set by the Brunswick Town Council.

The Assessor for the Town of Brunswick is responsible for collecting and maintaining the physical information needed to estimate the market value of all property in the town. They also maintain ownership records, estimate the assessed value for taxation purposes, and review and process real property tax exemption applications.

Property tax appeals

Property tax rates in Brunswick, Maine, are determined by the Brunswick Tax Assessor, who establishes the assessed value of a property and the tax rate in accordance with the requirements set by the Brunswick Town Council. If you feel that your property tax assessment is incorrect, there is an appeals process you can follow.

Informal Valuation Review

Firstly, you can request an informal valuation review if you believe the market value of your property on April 1 is less than the amount shown on your tax bill. Most concerns can be resolved by communicating with the Assessing Office. You can review your property record card and report any inaccuracies to the Assessor's Office. You should also review sales of similar properties and familiarize yourself with local market conditions. Present clear and concise evidence that the property is significantly overvalued, as well as what the valuation should be.

Formal Valuation Appeal

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the informal review, you can file a formal valuation appeal. You have 185 days from the date of the commitment to file a formal appeal, and the Assessor's Office has 60 days to review and respond. Fiscal year 2024 valuations were formally committed to the Collector's Office on September 15, 2023, so the appeal period for this year has ended.

Board of Assessment Review

If you are still not satisfied after the formal appeal, you can appeal the decision to the Board of Assessment Review. The Board will convene for a public hearing where both the taxpayer and the Assessor will provide written and/or oral testimony. The Board has 60 days from the date of filing to make a decision.

It is important to note that an appeal should be based on the estimated market value of the property. According to Maine law, a property's valuation is considered reasonable within 10% of its probable selling price. Your assessed value may be appealed if it is substantially higher than the market value, inequitable with similar properties, or calculated incorrectly due to a clerical error. However, financial ability to pay taxes or a high tax rate are not valid grounds for an appeal.

Frequently asked questions