Assessing


CONTACT:
Verna Sharpe
Assessing Agent

Tyanne Vasapoli
Assessing Technician

Phone:
(207) 384-3010
     
HOURS: 
ASSESSING AGENT ON DUTY HOURS
MONDAY & THURSDAY 9 am to 4 pm 
FRIDAY 9 am to Noon
Appointments Appreciated

Two Existing State Programs Benefiting Low-Income Seniors to be Expanded

The Property Tax Fairness Credit, which currently allows eligible Mainers to take a $1,500 credit, has increased to $2,000; it also loosens limits on the program in a way that allows the benefits to remain constant for a Mainer whose spouse passes away.  Note: This program is not administered by the Town of South Berwick.  To claim the credit, you must file Form 1040ME and Schedule PTFC/STFC for the tax year during which the property tax or rent was paid.  For help, call 207-624-9784.  For more info, visit: https://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/tax-relief-credits-programs/income-tax-credits/property-tax-fairness-credit

The State Property Tax Deferral Program, a lifeline loan program that covers the annual property tax bills of Maine seniors age 65 and older who cannot afford to pay them on their own, has been expanded.  It doubles the income limit on that program to $80,000 and also raises asset limits.  Taxes must be paid back when the home is sold or becomes part of an estate.  Note: This program is administered by the State; however, applications must be filed with the Assessor's Office between January 1 and April 1.  Applications are forwarded to Maine Revenue Services who review and make the determination for acceptance and approval.  Questions can be referred to Maine Revenue Services, Property Tax Division, at 207-624-5600 or prop.tax@maine.gov.  For more info, visit: https://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/tax-relief-credits-programs/property-tax-relief-programs/deferral-program


ASSESSOR’S OFFICE WEBSITE INFORMATION FY2024

The Assessor’s Office is responsible for the valuation of all real and personal property in South Berwick.  This involves inspection of all new construction, alterations, and additions as well as reviews of sales data for the purpose of updating and adjusting cost tables and recalculation of values on an annual basis. Other duties of the office include the maintenance of all property ownership records (deeds, addresses, etc.), property record cards, updating and maintaining the tax maps, administering exemptions, answering inquiries by property owners, appraisers, real estate agents and other members of the public.

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year

FY2024

 

 

Tax Year beginning

4/1/2023

 

 

Taxable Valuation

$1,120,546,000.00

 

 

Real Estate Total

$  1,114,104,800.00

 

 

Personal Property Total

$      6,441,200.00

 

 

Exempt RE Total

$     151,717,200.00

 

 

Exempt Personal Property (BETE) Total

$       5,915,700.00

 

 

Certified Ratio

100%

 

 

# Acres

19602.04

 

 

# Land Parcels

3434

 

 

# Taxable Real Estate Accounts

3178

 

 

                                                                   Total Residential Valuation

             $988,502,600.00

             89%

 

Total Commercial Valuation

$   121,520,600.00

 11%

 

# Taxable Personal Property Accounts

110

 

 

# Exempt Real Estate Accounts

166

 

 

Tax Rate

$13.96

 

 

School rate

$8.96

 

 

Municipal rate

$4.59

 

 

County rate

$0.40

 

 

 

 

 

Annually, the Assessor’s Office reviews valuations and makes adjustments to the valuations to include any additions and deletions. Part of the assessment process includes conducting an annual “sales ratio study”, which compares the actual selling prices of properties to assessments. The most recent study, conducted for the state valuation purposes, indicated the assessed values to be, on average, at less than 90% of market value requiring the town to make a valuation adjustment in an effort to avoid loss in value to Homestead and Veteran Exemptions.

 

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