Business Personal Property Reporting

• February 08, 2021

City of Auburn - 2021 Personal Property Filing

The business personal property filing season is just around the corner, the following are general notices concerning the 2021 filing season.

BUSINESS CANVAS: Pursuant to Maine Law, §706-A, when requested by the Assessor, business owners are required to report a list of their business assets (personal property) they possessed as of April 1 of each tax year.

The City of Auburn Assessing Division conducts a business canvas to identify businesses throughout the City and assist business owners with their yearly filing (due on April 15, 2021). You may see one of the Assessing staff at your business location in February or early March. We are happy to answer your questions about how to file the required paperwork and tax relief programs your business may be eligible for.

If you would like to schedule an appointment for assistance with filing, to update your business details, or report a new or closed business – please contact our office:

City of Auburn, Assessing Division

Phone: (207) 333-6601 – ask for Assessing

e-mail: assessing@auburnmaine.gov

FORMS: We will be mailing paper copies of filing forms in early March. These forms are already posted on our website. Assessing (auburnmaine.gov)

 TAX RELIEF PROGRAMS: Business owners who pay personal property taxes may be eligible for relief. There are two State of Maine property tax relief programs that are presently available:

1)     The Business Equipment Tax Exemption Program, aka “BETE” or “Betty”. This is a 100% exemption program for certain assets located at an eligible business. Non retail and businesses engaged in the sale of retail services are generally eligible for the BETE exemption for qualifying assets placed in service after April 1, 2007. Note that any assets that are eligible for BETE are ineligible for the BETR program. Retail sales businesses are not eligible for the BETE Exemption.

 2)     The Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement Program, aka “BETR” or “Better”. BETR is a tax refund program for qualifying businesses/assets.

For more information about the State’s personal property tax relief programs, follow this link:  Maine Tax Relief Programs BETE and BETR

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