The Assessing Office Hours
Monday thru Friday from 9:00am to
Phone:
(207) 353-6949
Fax:
(207 353-9126
Assessor's
Notice
To
all persons liable for taxation in the Town of
Complete
Commitment Book Assessments & Taxes
Annually, the Assessor's
Office reviews valuations and makes adjustments to the valuations that include
any additions and deletions. The department is also responsible for maintaining
accurate records of property ownership. Part of the assessment process includes
conducting an annual "ratio study", which compares the actual selling
price of property to assessments. The most recent study conducted for the state
valuation purposes indicated the assessed values, on average, to be at
approximately 100% of market value.
In addition to these and
other duties, the Assessor's Office is responsible for processing exemptions
for veterans and veterans' widows, of which there were .
The Assessor's Office is a
clearing house of information such as building and land records, monthly sales
transactions and assessment valuation information used by other Town
departments, the public, and their representatives (appraisers, brokers, attorneys,
surveyors, title companies, etc.). Reports are often generated from the
commitment file for use by various town departments, as well as the office
being the source of addresses for public hearing notification. Computer reports
containing various assessment and ownership information can be purchased for a
reasonable fee.
PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS
AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
Most homeowners whose
principal residence is in Maine are entitled to a $10,000 reduction in
valuation (adjusted by the community’s ratio of valuation to actual market
sales). To qualify, homeowners must fill out a simple form declaring property
as their principal residence by April 1 in the tax year claimed. Once the
application is filed, the exemption remains until the owner sells or changes
their place of residence. Forms are available in the Assessor’s Office, or can
be downloaded.
MAINE RESIDENTS PROPERTY TAX
PROGRAM
For those taxpayers who qualify, the state will make a partial reimbursement of
taxes paid. Forms must be filed by January 31 each year and are available in
the Assessor's Office on or about the middle of August each year or online from
the State of Maine Revenue
VETERANS EXEMPTION
Any person who was in active service in the armed forces of the United States
during a federally recognized war campaign period and, if discharged or retired
under honorable conditions, may be eligible for a partial exemption from taxes
on their primary residence.
The Veteran must have reached age 62 or must be receiving a pension or
compensation from the United States Government for total disability, either
service or non-service connected.
Applications forms can be obtained in the Assessor's Office and must be filed
with military discharge documentation on or before April 1st of the year it
will go into effect.
BLIND EXEMPTION
Residents of Bowdoin who are certified to be legally blind by their eye care
professional are eligible for a partial exemption from taxes on their primary
residence in the town.
AVAILABLE PUBLICATIONS AND GENERAL INFORMATION
Bureau of Taxation Bulletins
Board of Assessment Review Rules and Procedures
MMA's A Homeowner's Guide to the Property Tax
Business Equipment Tax Rebate information
Personal Property Declaration Forms
Billing address change forms
The Assessor's Office welcomes all taxpayers to visit or call with any
questions pertaining to real estate assessments, or further information on any
of the assistance programs.