An Act To Make Technical Changes to the Maine Tax Laws
PART A
Sec. A-1. 36 MRSA §208, as amended by PL 2017, c. 288, Pt. A, §36, is further amended to read:
§ 208. Equalization
The State Tax Assessor has the duty of equalizing the state and county taxes among the several towns all municipalities and the unorganized territory. The State Tax Assessor shall equalize and adjust the assessment list of each town municipality, by adding to or deducting from it such amount as will make it equal to its just value as of April 1st. Notice of the proposed valuations of municipalities within each county must be sent annually by certified mail to the chair of the board of assessors, and chair of the board of selectmen in municipalities having selectmen, of each municipality within that county on or before the first day of October. The valuation so determined is subject to review by the State Board of Property Tax Review pursuant to subchapter 2-A, but the valuation finally certified to the Secretary of State pursuant to section 381 must be used for all computations required by law to be based upon the state valuation with respect to municipalities.
Sec. A-2. 36 MRSA §381, as corrected by RR 2013, c. 2, §44, is amended to read:
§ 381. State valuation; definition; to be filed with Bureau of Revenue Services annually
The term "state valuation" as used in reference to the unorganized territory in this Title, except in this chapter and chapter 105, means an annual valuation of all property subject to a Maine property tax but not taxable by a municipality. The annual valuation is to be completed by and on file in the office of the Bureau of Revenue Services prior to the assessment of the annual property tax in the unorganized territory. The annual valuation is to be based on the status of property on April 1st. In this chapter , in chapter 105 and outside of this Title, the term "state valuation" means the valuation filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to section 305, subsection 1.
Sec. A-3. 36 MRSA §506-A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 434, §14, is further amended to read:
§ 506-A. Overpayment of taxes
Except as provided in section 506, a taxpayer who pays an amount in excess of that finally assessed must be repaid the amount of the overpayment plus interest from the date of overpayment at a rate to be established by the municipality. The rate of interest may not exceed the interest rate established by the municipality for delinquent taxes nor may it be less than that rate reduced by 4% 4 percentage points. If a municipality fails to establish a rate of interest for overpayments of taxes, it shall pay interest at the rate it has established for delinquent taxes.
Sec. A-4. 36 MRSA §691, sub-§1, ¶A, as repealed and replaced by PL 2017, c. 475, Pt. A, §61, is amended to read:
"Eligible business equipment" does not include:
(1) Office furniture, including, without limitation, tables, chairs, desks, bookcases, filing cabinets and modular office partitions;
(2) Lamps and lighting fixtures used primarily for the purpose of providing general purpose office or worker lighting;
(3) Property owned or used by an excluded person;
(4) Telecommunications personal property subject to the tax imposed by section 457;
(5) Gambling machines or devices, including any device, machine, paraphernalia or equipment that is used or usable in the playing phases of any gambling activity as that term is defined in Title 8, section 1001, subsection 15, whether that activity consists of gambling between persons or gambling by a person involving the playing of a machine. "Gambling machines or devices" includes, without limitation:
(a) Associated equipment as defined in Title 8, section 1001, subsection 2;
(b) Computer equipment used directly and primarily in the operation of a slot machine as defined in Title 8, section 1001, subsection 39;
(c) An electronic video machine as defined in Title 17, section 1831, subsection 4;
(d) Equipment used in the playing phases of lottery schemes; and
(e) Repair and replacement parts of a gambling machine or device;
(6) Property located at a retail sales facility and used primarily in a retail sales activity unless the property is owned by a business that operates a retail sales facility in the State exceeding 100,000 square feet of interior customer selling space that is used primarily for retail sales and whose Maine-based operations derive less than 30% of their total annual revenue on a calendar year basis from sales that are made at a retail sales facility located in the State. For purposes of this subparagraph, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a) "Primarily" means more than 50% of the time;
(b) "Retail sales activity" means an activity associated with the selection and retail purchase of goods or rental of tangible personal property. "Retail sales activity" does not include production as defined in section 1752, subsection 9-B; and
(c) "Retail sales facility" means a structure used to serve customers who are physically present at the facility for the purpose of selection and retail purchase of goods or rental of tangible personal property. "Retail sales facility" does not include a separate structure that is used as a warehouse or call center facility;
(7) Property that is not entitled to an exemption by reason of the additional limitations imposed by subsection 2; or
(8) Personal property that would otherwise be entitled to exemption under this subchapter used primarily to support a telecommunications antenna used by a telecommunications business subject to the tax imposed by section 457.
Sec. A-5. 36 MRSA §843, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2009, c. 434, §16, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-6. 36 MRSA §1112, 3rd ¶, as amended by PL 2011, c. 618, §8, is further amended to read:
A penalty may not be assessed at the time of a change of use from the farmland classification of land subject to taxation under this subchapter to the open space classification of land subject to taxation under this subchapter. A penalty may not be assessed upon the withdrawal of farmland or open space land from taxation under this subchapter if the owner applies for the land to be classified as and the land is accepted for classification as timberland under subchapter 2-A. There also is no penalty imposed when land classified as timberland is accepted for classification as open space land. A penalty may not be assessed upon withdrawal of open space land from taxation under this subchapter if the owner applies for the land to be classified as and the land is accepted for classification as farmland under this subchapter. A penalty may not be assessed upon withdrawal of land enrolled under the Maine Tree Growth Tax Law if the owner applies for the land to be classified as and the land is accepted for classification as farmland under this chapter. The recapture penalty for withdrawal from farmland classification within 10 years of a transfer from either open space tax classification or timberland tax classification is the same imposed on withdrawal from the prior tax classification, open space or tree growth. The recapture penalty for withdrawal from farmland classification more than 10 years after such a transfer will be the regular farmland recapture penalty provided for in this section. In the event a penalty is later assessed under subchapter 2-A, the period of time that the land was taxed as farmland or as open space land under this subchapter must be included for purposes of establishing the amount of the penalty. The recapture penalty for withdrawal from open space classification within 10 years of a transfer from tree growth classification occurring on or after August 1, 2012 is the same that would be imposed if the land were being withdrawn from the tree growth classification. The recapture penalty for withdrawal from open space classification more than 10 years after such a transfer will be the open space recapture penalty provided for in this section.
Sec. A-7. 36 MRSA §1285, as amended by PL 1979, c. 666, §33, is further amended to read:
§ 1285. Collection of taxes in unorganized territory
In addition to the methods of collecting state taxes provided by law, owners of real estate in the unorganized townships shall be territory are liable to pay for payment of such taxes to the State Tax Assessor upon demand. If such taxes shall are not be paid within 30 days after such demand, the State Tax Assessor may collect the same, with interest as provided by law, by a civil action in the name of the State. Such This action shall must be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in the county where such unorganized townships are real estate is located, and the Attorney General may begin and prosecute such actions when requested by the State Tax Assessor. The demand shall be is sufficient if made by a writing mailed to such owner or his the owner's agent at his the owner's usual post-office post office address. In case such owner resides without outside the State and has no agent within the State known to the State Tax Assessor, such demand shall be is sufficient if made upon the Director of the Bureau of Forestry. Such action shall must be brought not less than 30 days after the giving or mailing of the demand. The beginning of such action, obtaining execution and collecting the same shall be is deemed a waiver of the rights of the State under sections 1281 and 1282. In case the owners of any such real estate are unknown, the demand shall be is sufficient if advertised in the state paper and in some newspaper, if any, published in the county in which the real estate lies is located.
Sec. A-8. 36 MRSA §6652, sub-§1-C, ¶C, as amended by PL 2001, c. 396, §47, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-9. Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause. In the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, chapter 103, subchapter 1, in the subchapter headnote, the words "state valuation; abatements" are amended to read "state valuation" and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or republishing the statutes.
PART B
Sec. B-1. 36 MRSA §1752, sub-§15, as amended by PL 2005, c. 218, §16, is repealed.
Sec. B-2. 36 MRSA §1752, sub-§16, as amended by PL 1965, c. 114, is repealed.
Sec. B-3. 36 MRSA §1752, sub-§21, as amended by PL 2005, c. 215, §17, is further amended to read:
Sec. B-4. 36 MRSA §1760, first ¶, as amended by PL 1999, c. 521, Pt. A, §6, is further amended to read:
Subject to the provisions of section 1760-C, no tax on sales , storage or use may be collected upon or in connection with:
Sec. B-5. 36 MRSA §1760, sub-§50, as amended by PL 2013, c. 420, §1, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
Sec. B-6. 36 MRSA §1861, as amended by PL 1995, c. 640, §6, is further amended to read:
§ 1861. Imposition
A tax is imposed, at the respective rate provided in section 1811, on the storage, use or other consumption in this State of tangible personal property or a service, the sale of which would be subject to tax under section 1764 or 1811. Every person so storing, using or otherwise consuming is liable for the tax until the person has paid the tax or has taken a receipt from the seller, as duly authorized by the assessor, showing that the seller has collected the sales or use tax, in which case the seller is liable for it. Retailers registered under section 1754-B or 1756 shall collect the tax and make remittance to the assessor. The amount of the tax payable by the purchaser is that provided in the case of sales taxes by section 1812. When tangible personal property purchased for resale is withdrawn from inventory by the retailer for the retailer's own use, use tax liability accrues at the date of withdrawal.
Sec. B-7. 36 MRSA §2903, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2011, c. 240, §24, is further amended to read:
Sec. B-8. 36 MRSA §3203, sub-§1-B, as amended by PL 2011, c. 240, §25, is further amended to read:
Fuel type based on gasoline | BTU content per gallon or gasoline gallon equivalent | Tax rate formula (BTU value fuel/BTU value gasoline) x base rate gasoline |
Gasoline | 115,000 | 100% x base rate |
Propane | 84,500 | 73% x base rate |
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) | 115,000 | 100% x base rate |
Methanol | 56,800 | 49% x base rate |
Ethanol | 76,000 | 66% x base rate |
Hydrogen | 115,000 | 100% x base rate |
Hydrogen Compressed Natural Gas | 115,000 | 100% x base rate |
Fuel type based on diesel | BTU content per gallon or gallon equivalent | Tax rate formula (BTU value fuel/BTU value diesel) x base rate diesel |
Diesel | 128,400 | 100% x base rate |
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) | 73,500 | 57% x base rate |
Biodiesel | 118,300 | 92% x base rate |
(1) For compressed natural gas, BTUs per 100 standard cubic feet is 93,000, and there are 123.66 standard cubic feet per gasoline gallon equivalent.
(2) For hydrogen, BTUs per 100 standard cubic feet is 27,000, and there are 425.93 standard cubic feet per gasoline gallon equivalent.
(3) For hydrogen compressed natural gas, BTUs per 100 standard cubic feet is 79,800, and there are 144.11 standard cubic feet per gasoline gallon equivalent.
Sec. B-9. 36 MRSA §3208, first ¶, as amended by PL 2007, c. 438, §78, is further amended to read:
Every user subject to the tax imposed by section 3203 is entitled to a credit on the tax, equivalent to the then current rate of taxation per gallon imposed by section 3203 as adjusted pursuant to section 3321, on all special fuel purchased by that user from a supplier or retailer licensed in accordance with section 3204 upon which the tax imposed by section 3203 has been paid. Evidence of the payment of that tax, in a form required by or satisfactory to the State Tax Assessor, must be furnished by each user claiming the credit. When the amount of the credit to which any user is entitled for any quarter exceeds the amount of the tax for which that user is liable for the same quarter, the excess may be allowed as a credit on the tax for which that user would be otherwise liable for another quarter or quarters. Upon application to the assessor, the excess may be refunded if the applicant has paid to another state or province under a lawful requirement of that jurisdiction a tax similar in effect to the tax imposed by section 3203 on the use or consumption of that fuel outside the State, at the same rate per gallon that tax was paid in this State, but in no case to exceed the then current rate per gallon of the tax imposed by section 3203 as adjusted pursuant to section 3321. Upon receipt of the application the assessor, if satisfied after investigation that a refund is justified, shall so certify to the State Controller. The refund must be paid out of the Highway Fund. This credit lapses at the end of the last quarter of the year following that in which the credit arose.
Sec. B-10. 36 MRSA §4362-A, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2015, c. 300, Pt. A, §36, is further amended to read:
Sec. B-11. 36 MRSA §4362-A, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2003, c. 439, §2, is repealed.
Sec. B-12. 36 MRSA §4362-A, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2007, c. 438, §90, is further amended to read:
Sec. B-13. 36 MRSA §4366-A, sub-§4-A, as amended by PL 2011, c. 441, §1, is repealed.
Sec. B-14. 36 MRSA §4366-A, sub-§4-B, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 441, §2, is amended to read:
Sec. B-15. 36 MRSA §4402, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2015, c. 300, Pt. A, §37, is further amended to read:
Sec. B-16. 36 MRSA §4402, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 627, §7, is repealed.
Sec. B-17. 36 MRSA §4402, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2013, c. 331, Pt. C, §31 and affected by §41, is further amended to read:
Sec. B-18. 36 MRSA §4402, sub-§§6 and 7, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 627, §7, are amended to read:
Sec. B-19. 36 MRSA §4404, 2nd ¶, as amended by PL 2011, c. 441, §3, is repealed.
Sec. B-20. 36 MRSA §4404, 3rd ¶, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 441, §4, is amended to read:
Beginning July 1, 2012, the The return must include further information as the assessor may prescribe and must show a credit for any tobacco products exempted as provided in section 4403. Records must be maintained to substantiate the exemption. Tax previously paid on tobacco products that are returned to a manufacturer or a distributor because the product has become unfit for use, sale or consumption and for tobacco products that are returned to a distributor that are subsequently destroyed by the distributor may be taken as a credit on a subsequent return. The assessor may either witness the destruction of the product or may accept another form of proof that the product has been destroyed by the distributor or returned to the manufacturer.
PART C
Sec. C-1. 36 MRSA §191, sub-§2, ¶VV, as amended by PL 2013, c. 331, Pt. B, §3, is repealed.
Sec. C-2. 36 MRSA §5121, as amended by PL 2003, c. 390, §26, is further amended to read:
§ 5121. Maine taxable income
The Maine taxable income of a resident individual is equal to the individual's federal adjusted gross income as defined by the Code with the modifications and less the deductions and personal exemptions provided in this chapter.
Sec. C-3. 36 MRSA §5122, sub-§2, ¶E, as amended by PL 2017, c. 375, Pt. C, §1, is further amended to read:
Sec. C-4. 36 MRSA §5219-BB, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2009, c. 361, §28 and affected by §37, is further amended to read:
Sec. C-5. 36 MRSA §5403, sub-§6, as amended by PL 2017, c. 474, Pt. B, §23, is further amended to read:
Sec. C-6. PL 2017, c. 474, Pt. D, §4, as corrected by RR 2017, c. 2, §17, is amended to read:
Sec. D-4. Application. This With the exception of those portions of those sections of this Part that enact the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, section 5200-A, subsection 1, paragraph FF and subsection 2, paragraph EE, which apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, this Part applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2017 , except that those portions of those sections of this Part that enact the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, section 5200-A, subsection 1, paragraph FF and subsection 2, paragraph EE apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018.