Personal Property

Personal Property
2023 Business Personal Property Declaration (PDF)
Personal Property Declaration Form must be returned by May 1st.

BETE Form to request Business Equipment Tax Exemption (PDF)
All electronic filing submissions must be accompanied by a properly executed Personal Property Declaration Form. Please feel free to contact us for an Excel version of your last year’s list to assist you in your submission.

Personal Property Taxes

State of Maine law provides for a tax on business personal property. The tax is assessed annually in accordance with the requirements set forth in Title 36 of the Maine Revised Statutes, sections 601 and 706- A, among others. "Personal Property" is tangible property located at the business, including manufacturing equipment, office furniture, store fixtures, telephone systems, computers, motel furnishings, heavy and light duty construction equipment. The tax rate is the same rate as applied to taxable real estate.

A Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement Program (BETR), administered by the State, is available to any business taxpayer placing qualified personal property into service after April 1, 1995 and before April 2, 2007. Certain retail personal property placed in service after April 1, 2007 may also qualify. The BETR qualification period has been expanded indefinitely beyond 12 years for each piece of eligible equipment, with the reimbursement rate further reduced annually until the rate is 50% for years beyond the 17th year of reimbursement.

The Business Equipment Tax Exemption Program (BETE) applies only to certain non-retail and certain service businesses first subject to tax on or after April 1, 2008. Businesses continue to be required to itemize and report all non-exempt personal property used in the business in exactly the same manner as previous years with BETE qualified equipment reported separately.

BETE and BETR State Website

If you have any questions about your eligibility for personal property exemptions or reimbursement programs, please contact us or the State of Maine’s Property Tax Division Help Line at 207-624-5600.

For additional information reference the BETR and BETE program documents.

Additional Information

State of Maine Exempt Application (PDF)
BETE/BETR Question and Answer (PDF)
BETE: State Retail Equipment Guidance (PDF)
BETE/BETR State Tutorial (PDF)