Tax Relief Programs
We have several benefit programs available in the form of property exemptions which provide a form of tax relief. An explanation and application for these exemptions are available below. To apply, please refer to the State of Maine Revenue Service Property Tax Relief Programs page.
Homestead Exemption
Every homeowner who meets certain conditions is entitled to receive a homestead exemption. Applications must be filed with the Assessor on or before April 1st of the year in which the homeowner wishes the exemption to take affect. The conditions to be met are:
- The property owner must be a legal resident of the State of Maine
- The applicant must have owned a homestead property in Maine for at least twelve months as of April 1
- The applicant must declare that the homestead is his/her permanent place of residence and is the only property for which an exemption is claimed
Veterans'/Widows Exemption
Veterans may qualify for a property tax exemption if they meet certain criteria. To qualify as a veteran you must meet the following conditions:
- Be a legal resident of the State of Maine
- Served during a federally recognized war period as follows:
- WWII, December 7, 1941 through December 31, 1946
- Korean Conflict, June 27, 1950 through January 31, 1955
- Vietnam War, February 28, 1961 through May 7, 1975 (active duty for more than 180 days)
- Persian Gulf War, August 2, 1990 to the date that the United States Government recognizes as the end of the Persian Gulf War (active duty)
- Other Recognized Service Periods From August 24, 1982 through July 31, 1984 and from December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990
- Other Conditions
- Has reached the age of 62 years or
- Is receiving a pension or compensation from the United States Government for total disability either service or non-service connected as a veteran.
- Has notified the City of Auburn of his/her claim by April 1st and provided the following documents:
- Form DD214 Record of Military Service
- Birth Certificate/Death Certificate for Widow Exemption
- Drivers License
- Certification letter for disability claim if applicable
- An un-remarried widow, widower or minor child of a veteran may qualify if the deceased spouse would have been eligible for an exemption.
Exemption for the Blind
Persons who are legally blind as determined by a properly licensed Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathy or Doctor of Optometry may be eligible for a partial exemption on their residence if they file an application by April 1st of the year in which they wish to make claim for the exemption. A letter completed by one of the above licensed professionals, stating that the applicant is legally blind, needs to be included with the application.
Maine Individual Income Tax/Property Tax Fairness Credit
The "Circuit Breaker Program" has been retired. It has been replaced by the Property Tax Fairness Credit. For details, visit the Maine Revenue Service.
Senior Property Tax Assistance
The City of Auburn occasionally offers property tax assistance through our Senior Property Tax Assistance Program. When funded by the City Council, this program provides tax relief to eligible Auburn residents.
THE NEXT APPLICATION PERIOD IS JANUARY 1 - APRIL 15, 2027!
WHO QUALIFIES? To qualify for the program you must meet the criteria listed below. If you cannot check all the boxes in the list below, you do not qualify for this assistance program. Only one qualifying applicant per household shall be entitled to payment under this program each year.
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY? Applications must be filed annually, no earlier than January 1 and no later than April 15 of each year. Please remember that you must complete an application every year in order to be considered for the program!
HOW MUCH ASSISTANCE WILL I GET? The actual benefit paid will also be prorated based on available program funds (not to exceed $1,000).
IF APPROVED, WHEN WILL I RECEIVE THE ASSISTANCE? If you qualify, a check will be mailed to you by September 1 in the year in which you applied. You must own the property and use it as your homestead at the time the payment is issued.
Be sure to fully complete the application. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Do you qualify? If you are able to meet all the criteria below, you may qualify for this program!
___ You are 65 years of age or older
___ You have owned and lived in your Auburn home for at least ten years preceding the date of the application
___ You received the State of Maine’s Homestead Exemption benefit on your 2025-26 Auburn real estate taxes
___ You received the State of Maine’s Property Tax Fairness Credit when you filed your taxes last year
___ You have a federal adjusted gross income below the city’s median household income of $66,552
___ No one in your household is currently receiving any local, state or federal rental assistance
___ You have fully paid all property taxes for the immediately preceding tax year
APPLICATIONS are due between January 1 and April 15, 2027
*You must attach your 2026 tax information