LEWISTON – Applications are available for the property tax and rent refund program offered by the state of Maine.

Popularly known as the “circuit breaker,” this program has become a well-known and much-needed avenue for Maine residents seeking property tax relief.

The program offers property tax refunds to owners and renters who meet certain income requirements. The maximum refund is $1,000, and the filing deadline is Jan. 3, 2005.

Maine residents may be eligible if they meet the following criteria:

• They were Maine residents for all 12 months of 2003.

• They owned or rented a home in Maine for all 12 months of 2003 and occupied that home for at least 6 months of 2003.

• They lived alone and had total household income in 2003 was $30,300 or less; or, lived with a spouse or dependent and total household income in 2003 was $46,900 or less.

• They had a 2003 property tax bill that was more than 4 percent of total household income or paid rent in 2003 that was more than 22 percent of total household income.

Elderly people do not need to meet the requirements if their income is below $12,100 for those living alone or below $15,000 when living with a spouse or dependent.

For assistance with the Property Tax and Rent Refund Program, people may call Teletax at (207) 624-7875, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or call (207) 626-8475 weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To order forms, people may call (207) 624-7894, every day, 24 hours, and leave a name and address; or download the form from the Internet site at www.maine.gov/revenue. For refund information, people may call (207) 626-8461, every day, 24 hours a day, and they should have their Social Security number and total income ready; or they can obtain more information at the Web site at www.maine.gov/revenue.

By TTY, information is available by calling (207) 287-4477, weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Or people may write to Maine Revenue Services, PO Box 9116, Augusta, ME 04332-9116.

To request application forms, people may also contact their local state representative:

Rep. Richard Mailhot: 783-0841; Rep. Lillian LaFontaine O’Brien: 782-5276; Rep. Deborah Simpson: 777-1379; Rep. Margaret Craven: 783-1897; Rep. Elaine Makas: 784-5726; Rep. Sonya Sampson: 784-3141; Rep. William Walcott: 783-4059.