Maine · Property taxMaine property tax: town-set due dates, interest and the 18-month tax lien mortgage

Maine has no single statewide due date – each municipality decides. At the meeting that raises the tax, or a later one before commitment, the municipality may vote the date or dates when property taxes become due and payable, the interest rate on unpaid taxes – capped at the rate set by the Treasurer of State, which may not exceed the prime rate on the first business day of the year rounded up plus 3 percentage points – and any discount for early payment, up to 10% (36 M.R.S. §505). If the tax isn't paid, the tax collector may, after 8 months and within one year after commitment, demand payment within 30 days and then record a tax lien certificate (§942). Recording creates a tax lien mortgage to the municipality with priority over all other mortgages and liens; if it isn't paid within 18 months after recording, it's deemed foreclosed, and the treasurer must notify the owner and each record mortgage holder 30 to 45 days before the foreclosure date (§943). A seller who paid a pro rata share under a written proration agreement can ask the treasurer to record a certificate that the seller doesn't owe the taxes behind the lien (§943).