FARMINGTON – Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Mary Wright, called board members’ attention Tuesday night to the 2005 Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund Program, which reimburses eligible people for up to $2,000 for property taxes and rent.

She said only about 20 percent of people who qualify for the program apply. Forms are in the town office.

“They’re fairly easy to fill out,” Wright said, after explaining she thinks she is eligible for a refund. The forms can be filed the traditional way or online at www.maine.gov/revenue.

According to the application, if you do not have a spouse or dependent(s) and your 2004 household income was $74,500 or less, or if you have a spouse or dependent(s) and your 2004 household income was $99,500 or less, and either your property tax was more than 4 percent of your household income, or the amount of rent you paid was more than 20 percent of your household income, you may qualify for a refund.

“We do have people come in, and they have trouble paying” their property taxes, Wright said.

– Maggie Gill-Austern