Information for the Assessor's Office
"The Assessor's task is to make sure that all real and personal property in Brownfield is valued near its market value so that each property owner can pay their share of property taxes. This is done by annually gathering physical data on properties, processing map and ownership changes, and analyzing recent sales to make sure the information we have in the system is accurate.
It's important to note the Assessor does not determine the amount of tax levy each year. That amount is based on the municipal, school and county budgets (net of other revenues). The Assessor then divides that amount by the total assessed valuation of the Town to get the local tax rate. The resulting tax rate is then applied to your property's assessed value to apportion the total levy.
Some will ask: What Property Tax Relief is Available?
There are several forms available to Maine residents…
Homestead Exemption:
The homestead exemption reduces the property tax bill of all Maine primary resident homeowners who apply for the exemption by April 1st and who have owned and lived in their house for the prior 12 months. The exempt amount is deducted from the property’s total taxable value and is adjusted by the community’s certified ratio of valuation to actual market sales. It’s currently $25,000.
Veteran’s Exemption:
Any Maine resident who was in active service in the armed forces if discharged or retired under honorable conditions, may be eligible for a $6,000 reduction in valuation (adjusted by the community’s ratio of valuation to actual market sales).
The veteran must have reached age 62 or, is receiving 100% disability as a Veteran, is eligible for an exemption of $6,000 from the just value of their home.
Applications 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. This exemption also includes the un-remarried widow or widower or minor child of any veteran who would be entitled to the exemption if living.
Paraplegic Veteran :
A veteran who received a federal grant for a specially adapted housing unit is eligible for an exemption of $50,000 from the just value of their home.
Blind Exemption:
Any Maine resident who is certified to be legally blind by their eye care professional are eligible for a $4,000 reduction in valuation (adjusted by the community’s ratio of valuation to actual market sales)."
Abatement:
Submit this application to your municipal assessor within 185 days of commitment. Commitment is the date when the municipal tax collector receives the tax files for the year. This date is usually near the date when the tax bills are sent out. Check with your municipal assessor to find out the exact commitment date. An abatement request is not a guarantee of reduced tax. By law, a taxpayer must prove that the actual value of their property is lower than the municipal assessment. Proof may include, for example, documentation of recent sales of similar property or a significant error on the taxpayer's property record card.