Budget & Taxes (Tax Credits)

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 7, 2025

LD 1217: An Act Regarding The New Markets Tax Credit And The Maine New Markets Capital Investment Program

This bill updates Maine's New Markets Tax Credit program to create two new fund types: "Maine funds" (requiring at least one Maine-resident executive with 5+ years in finance) and "diverse Maine funds" (requiring majority ownership/control by racial/ethnic minorities or Native American groups, or a majority-minority board). It sets strict time limits: funds must use allocated tax credits within 24 months (Program 1) or 6 months (Program 2), or the unused credits lapse. The bill caps total tax credits at $250 million per program, with annual limits of $20 million, and requires annual reports on private investment and job creation. These changes directly affect community development organizations seeking tax credits to fund investments in underserved Maine communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates structured tax credit program with time limits to direct investments, promoting fiscal management through targeted tax incentives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

failed · Maine · Senate May 6, 2025

LD 203: An Act To Provide An Income Tax Credit For Employer-Supported Child Care

LD 203 creates a new refundable Maine income tax credit for employers who provide child care services for their employees' children. Starting in 2026, employers can claim a credit equal to 50% of their child care costs or $3,000 per child, whichever is lower, to reduce their tax bill. Unused credit amounts can be carried forward for up to 15 years. The credit replaces an expired law and will be reviewed by the legislature starting in 2030 to assess its policy impact and revenue effects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable income tax credit for employers, providing tax relief and aligning with fiscal policy to support child care costs without increasing state revenue.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credit for employer child care, supporting workers' ability to maintain employment through childcare access, aligning with employment standards and worker benefit enhancements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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failed · Maine · House May 28, 2025

LD 1889: An Act To Expand Tax Incentives For Certain Barn Renovations

This bill creates a refundable tax credit for homeowners who restore noncommercial barns on their residential property. It provides a credit equal to 40% of renovation costs exceeding $25,000, with a maximum annual credit of $400,000 per barn. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to four years, and the total credit for any single barn cannot exceed $1.6 million over time. The credit applies only to barns used for noncommercial purposes (like storage or livestock housing) and requires reporting to the state for tracking.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable tax credit for barn renovations, providing direct tax relief to homeowners - explicitly categorized under 'RELIEF' in subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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failed · Maine · House Jun 16, 2025

LD 1853: An Act To Establish An Educational Tax Credit Program To Help Parents Pay For Nonpublic School Tuition And Fees

This bill establishes a refundable tax credit program to help Maine parents pay for nonpublic school tuition and fees. It directly affects parents of eligible students (children who could attend public school) enrolled in nonpublic schools, which are defined as non-government-operated elementary or secondary schools. To qualify, parents must provide documented proof of tuition payments, enrollment, and personal payment to the school. The credit amount equals 70% of Maine's average annual per-pupil public school cost, calculated annually by the Department of Education and published online.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes refundable tax credit reducing parents' income tax burden for nonpublic school costs, aligning with tax relief for middle-income families.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates tax credits for nonpublic school tuition, expanding educational access options for parents and directly supporting private school enrollment through financial assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice

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failed · Maine · House Jan 20, 2026

LD 1699: An Act To Create A Refundable Tax Credit For Agricultural Enterprises

LD 1699 creates a refundable tax credit allowing investors to receive 40% of their cash investment in eligible Maine agricultural enterprises as a tax credit, effective April 1, 2025. It directly affects investors who fund Maine farms or agricultural businesses that certify the investment is necessary for expansion. The credit is limited to $3.5 million per agricultural enterprise over the credit's lifetime and $2 million per calendar year. To qualify, the agricultural enterprise must sell products primarily outside Maine (though sales inside are permitted) and meet specific expansion criteria. This replaces previous rates for agricultural investments and modifies existing tax credit rules under Maine law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable tax credit (40% investment return) for agricultural investors, directly providing tax relief and incentivizing expansion, aligning with tax policy support for economic development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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signed · Maine · House Apr 15, 2026

LD 1652: An Act To Create A Tax Credit For Providers Of Dental Care For Mainecare Recipients

This bill creates a tax credit for dental providers enrolled in MaineCare, covering up to $5,000 annually in licensing fees and malpractice insurance costs. It directly affects licensed dentists and dental practices that treat MaineCare recipients. Key provisions require the Department of Health and Human Services to amend reimbursement rules to pay 75% of national Medicaid rates for dental services and cover all dental case management codes. The bill also allocates funding for three new positions within MaineCare Services to manage dental program implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for dental providers covering licensing/malpractice costs, directly providing tax relief to support MaineCare dental services funding and reimbursement rules.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates tax credit for dental providers serving MaineCare patients, increases reimbursement to 75% of Medicaid rates, and allocates funding - directly expanding access to dental care under public health program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Medicaid

died · Maine · House Apr 29, 2026

LD 435: An Act To Expand The Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit

LD 435 expands Maine's Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit to encourage preservation of historic buildings. It increases the credit rate from 25% to 30% of qualified rehabilitation costs (up to $1 million) for owners of income-producing historic structures or certified historic homes. The bill broadens eligibility to include locally designated landmarks meeting National Register criteria, not just properties listed in the National Register. Property owners must demonstrate compliance with historic preservation standards to claim the credit, and the Maine Historic Preservation Commission must analyze the program's effectiveness every five years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credit rate from 25% to 30% for historic property rehab, providing tax relief to owners of income-producing historic structures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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died · Maine · Senate Apr 29, 2026

LD 1294: An Act To Expand The Dependent Exemption Tax Credit

This bill (LD 1294) expands Maine's dependent exemption tax credit for tax years beginning January 1, 2025, or later. It doubles the credit to $600 for each dependent under age 6 (up from $300) while maintaining a $300 credit for dependents age 6 and older. The bill also updates income-based phase-out rules, reducing the credit for higher earners based on filing status (e.g., $100,000 threshold for single filers). It directly affects Maine resident taxpayers claiming dependents who qualify for the federal child tax credit or personal exemption. The changes apply to tax returns filed for 2025 and subsequent years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands dependent tax credit for lower/middle-income families, doubling relief for young dependents and adjusting phase-outs to maintain access for qualifying taxpayers.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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signed · Maine · House Jul 1, 2025

LD 1876: An Act To Increase Use Of State Tax Credits

LD 1876 establishes a 17-member Working Group to study how to increase use of four specific Maine state tax credits: the earned income credit, property tax fairness credit, dependent exemption credit, and sales tax fairness credit. The group includes balanced representation from both legislative parties, tax experts, low-income community members (with direct experience claiming these credits), advocates, and municipal representatives. The Working Group must complete its study and submit a report to the next legislative session before the 90-day emergency period expires. This bill does not change the tax credits themselves but creates a process to identify barriers to their use and recommend strategies for greater utilization.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases utilization of low-income tax credits (earned income, property tax fairness), aiming to expand relief through existing credits rather than new taxes or cuts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

signed · Maine · Senate Jul 1, 2025

LD 1951: An Act To Promote Food Processing And Manufacturing Facility Expansion And Create Jobs

LD 1951 modifies Maine's tax credit program for food processing and manufacturing facility expansions. It increases the annual tax credit rate from 1.8% to 2% of qualified investments for facilities meeting new criteria, effective 2027. The bill raises the total funding cap for approved projects from $100 million to $200 million and sets a new $100 million maximum per project. To qualify, applicants must employ at least 40 full-time Maine-based workers within 12 months of facility startup and meet specific wage requirements tied to county income levels. This primarily affects businesses seeking tax incentives for expanding or building new food processing facilities in Maine.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit rate (1.8%→2%) and funding cap ($100M→$200M) for food processing incentives, directly advancing tax incentive policy to stimulate economic growth.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires 40 full-time Maine workers per project within 12 months, directly promoting job creation and employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits