Maine Revised Statutes Title 36 Sec. 577 – Reduced valuation under special circumstances
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1. On January 1, 1972.
[PL 2007, c. 438, §13 (RP).]
Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 36 Sec. 577
- Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
- Bureau: means the Bureau of Revenue Services, which may be referred to as "Maine Revenue Services. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 36 Sec. 111
- Forest land: means land used primarily for growth of trees to be harvested for commercial use, but does not include ledge, marsh, open swamp, bog, water and similar areas, which are unsuitable for growing a forest product or for harvesting for commercial use even though these areas may exist within forest lands. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 36 Sec. 573
- Property: shall be construed to mean both real estate and personal property. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 36 Sec. 501
- Tax: means the total amount required to be paid, withheld and paid over or collected and paid over with respect to estimated or actual tax liability under this Title, any credit or reimbursement allowed or paid pursuant to this Title that is recoverable by the assessor and any amount assessed by the assessor pursuant to this Title, including any interest or penalties provided by law. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 36 Sec. 111
- Year: means a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 1 Sec. 72
2. Destruction by natural disaster. In the case of forest land areas upon which the trees are destroyed by fire, disease, insect infestation or other natural disaster, so that the area contains not more than 3 cords per acre of wood that is merchantable for forest products, the valuation of that specific land area must be reduced by 75% for the first 10 property tax years following the loss.
[PL 2007, c. 438, §14 (AMD).]
3. Procedure to obtain reduced valuation. In order to obtain a reduced valuation, the landowner must submit a written request to the assessor on or before January 1st the preceding tax year, presenting facts in affidavit form that meet the requirements of subsection 2. The assessor may investigate the facts, utilizing the procedures set forth in section 579, and shall then determine whether the requirements of subsection 2 are met. If the requirements are met, the forest land areas must be valued as provided in subsection 2.
[PL 2007, c. 438, §15 (AMD).]
4. Report and recommendation from Director of the Bureau of Forestry. In determining the applicability of this section, the assessor may request a report and recommendation from the Director of the Bureau of Forestry.
[PL 1973, c. 406, §18 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §23 (REV).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1971, c. 616, §8 (NEW). PL 1973, c. 308, §6 (AMD). PL 1973, c. 406, §18 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 438, §§13-15 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV). PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §23 (REV).