A little good news for Lebanites as tax time looms

Mainers who formerly qualified for the Rent Refund and Property Tax Circuitbreaker may still be able to cash in on up to $300 on their 2013 tax bill if they qualify.

The new face of the Circuitbreaker is the Schedule PTFC, or Property Tax Fairness Credit.

The factors used to determine how much you get are your taxable income and your property tax paid for the year.

You can file Schedule PTFC along with your Maine taxes for up to a refundable $300 credit.

Meanwhile, another tool to get some property tax relief - the Homestead Exemption – is still allowed and can save homeowners form $80-$100 a year on their property tax.

Once property owners sign up for the adjustment, they don’t have to sign up every year, but many Lebanon residents aren’t aware of the Homestead Exemption. Lebanon Town Clerk Laura Bragg said Town Office workers were trying to contact people, especially new residents, who might not be aware of the exemption.

Residents have to be signed up by April 1 to get the tax break on next year’s property taxes, she said.