Dear Editor:

It is sad to read the state is considering abandoning the Property Tax Stabilization Act put in place last year. It was a bold effort to help elders to prevent their property taxes from escalating.

I agree the program is expensive and puts another mandated burden on our municipal tax collectors who are already overworked. With a little more thought maybe the program can be salvaged.

First, limit the benefit to elders with income under $100,000. This would prevent huge benefits from going to the wealthy who should pay their fair share of property tax. Second, administer the program on the state level tied to tax returns where residents take the over age 65 exemption and would have to declare they have lived in a Maine residence and paid property tax for the past 10 years. Income could also be verified.

Once qualified the credit would be in place until the ownership changes, avoiding the need for annual filing. A simple declaration form should be available to elderly residents who pay property tax but do not file Maine income tax returns because their income is too low.

Tax rebates could be sent by the state to qualifying taxpayers without involving the municipalities. As with all tax related statements the declarations would be subject to random audits.

Just a few thoughts to try to save this bold and badly needed program. I am sure there are smarter people in Augusta who can make this needed program work.

Tom Boudin, CPA

Edgecomb