AUBURN – As many as 200,000 Maine taxpayers could be eligible for rebates under an expanded property tax and rent rebate program.

Property owners and renters can recoup up to $2,000 based on their 2004 tax returns under the Tax and Rent Rebate Program. Applications are in the mail, according to the state.

Auburn Tax Assessor Cheryl Dubois said Auburn hadn’t received its share of applications.

“We knew it was going to be a big thing, so we went online and printed our own copies,” Dubois said. “The sooner you apply, the sooner you can get your refund, and we didn’t want to take any chances.”

People who applied last year should get applications in the mail this week, said Dennis Doiron, state director of income tax. Boxes of the applications and guide booklets should be arriving at city and town halls and in public libraries, as well.

The Legislature doubled the size of the program in January, increasing the budget from $26 million to $46 million and the maximum rebate people could get from $1,000 to $2,000. The state has even expanded the deadline by six months, from the December to May.

Mainers who paid more than 4 percent of their household income in property taxes are eligible for tax rebates. They can get half of their property tax payment refunded, up to $2,000.

Renters who paid more than 20 percent of their household income in rent can also get rebates of up to $2,000.