I am wondering what the guidelines are. I am told they have changed from last year. Thanking you in advance. Keep up the good work. — No Name in Lewiston.

ANSWER: The state of Maine shares this Property Tax Fairness Credit summary: Eligible Maine taxpayers may receive a portion of the property tax or rent paid during the tax year on the Maine individual income tax return whether they owe Maine income tax or not. If the credit exceeds the amount of your individual income tax due for the tax year, the excess amount of credit will be refunded to you.

Who is eligible for the Property Tax Fairness Credit? Homeowners or renters who meet all of the following requirements:

Were Maine residents during any part of the tax year;

Owned or rented a home in Maine during any part of the tax year and lived in that home during the year as a primary residence;

Paid property tax or rent on the primary residence in Maine during the tax year;

Meet certain income and property tax and/or rent paid limitations during the tax year.

The specific limitations are too lengthy to be printed here. Your eligibility can be figured out by using Schedule PTFC Form 1040ME. It is available online at www.maine.gov/revenue/forms. The instructions are easy to follow, but two pages long. If you want to order this form, call 207-624-7894.

According to information provided by the state for 2014, “you may qualify for a refundable Property Tax Fairness Credit up to $600 ($900 if you are 65 years of age or older) if you meet specific requirements” outlined in the form.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: How do I request a certified birth certificate from the city of Lewiston? — Family genealogist, Lewiston.

ANSWER: The city of Lewiston has this information readily available. To order a certified, legal copy of a birth certificate, if the birth occurred in Lewiston, Maine, or if the mother of the child was living in Lewiston, Maine at the time of the birth, complete a birth certificate order form. The form is available on the city’s website at www.lewistonmaine.gov or at the city clerk’s office, 27 Pine St., Lewiston..

You may also write or fax the city clerk’s department a letter including the following information: Full name of the child including first, middle, and last name; date of birth; child’s mother’s first, middle, and maiden names; child’s father’s first, middle, and last names; your relationship to the child named on the birth certificate.

Also include the name and mailing address where the certificates should be sent and the number of certified copies you are requesting.

You will need to include a self-addressed stamped #10 envelope, if mailing in your request, and applicable identification and payment.

In order for a person to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, or death record, the requestor must present proof of identification. They must also present proof of direct and legitimate interest in the record if they are acquiring a record other than their own record. The city can provide you with a long list of items that they will accept as proof of identification.

There is a $15 fee for a certified copy and each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $6.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com, tweeted @SJ_SunSpots or posted on the Sun Spots facebook page at facebook.com/SunJournalSunSpots. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots. We’ve joined Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.

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