Rep. Arata's News from the Legislature

Town of New Gloucester 385 Intervale Road, New Gloucester, ME 04260 (207) 926-4126 (phone) / (207) 926-4136 (fax)

Town of Poland 1231 Maine Street, Poland, ME 04274 (207) 998-4601 (phone) / (207) 998-2002 (fax)

$850 Revenue Surplus Refund Checks

ELIGIBILITY

• Must file a 2021 Maine individual income tax return by October 31, 2022 as a full-time Maine resident.
• Must not be claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return. 
• Must have a federal adjusted gross income (FAGI) for the 2021 tax year of less than:
  • $200,000 for individuals filing married joint returns or surviving spouses permitted to file a joint return;
  • $150,000 for an individual filing as a head of household; or
  • $100,000 for a single individual or a married individual filing a separate return.

FAQs

Q:  Will I get $850?

__A: An estimated 858,000 eligible individuals will automatically receive an $850 refund payment.  See eligibility details above or contact Maine Revenue Services at (207) 624-9924.

Q:  Why am I getting $850?

__A: Because the State is expected to over-collect more than $1.3 billion in taxes.  Rather than spend that money on growing State Government, Republicans insisted on returning nearly $730 million of that money to Maine taxpayers.

Q: Why is there “extra” money?

__A: Maine’s tax policy is crafted in a way that revenue brought in covers government expenditures and liabilities.  In short, Maine is projected to bring in (TAX) over $1.3 billion more than it needs.

__A: Maine saw the injection of $15B in Federal relief funds (pass-through and direct state allocations) in 2021.  This created the conditions for collection of excess revenue despite substantial economic challenges and growth of inflation.  

Q:  I’m retired.  Will I get $850 if I don’t file a Maine income tax return?

__A: You must file a Maine individual income tax return to be eligible for your $850 return, even if you don’t have tax liability or typically don’t file.  You may be eligible for additional tax benefits under the Homestead Property Tax Exemption; Sales Tax Fairness Credit; or the recently enacted property tax stabilization initiative for senior citizens.

GOVERNMENT RESOURCES 

• You can check the status of your check here.
• For assistance in identifying free tax help, call 2-1-1 or visit 211maine.org; or contact CA$H MAINE.
• Relief Checks (Governor's Office)

2022 Maine Agricultural Fairs

Maine has some of the best agricultural fairs in New England!  If you want to know more about Maine's great agricultural fairs, go to the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs Web site for the latest news and information or directly to the fairs listed below.

Upcoming Agricultural State Fair Dates

Fish Stocking Report

The fish stocking report features daily updates from hatchery staff.  Instead of hearing when and where the hatcheries have stocked well after the season has ended, anglers can easily locate waters freshly stocked with catchable trout.

Waters are grouped by county, listed by town, and include the date of stocking, as well as the species, quantity, and size of fish released.

Current Year Stocking Report (PDF)

Additional Information

• Illegal Fish Stockings Threaten Maine Lakes and Rivers
• Learn More About Maine's Fish Hatcheries