Does Maine have one of the highest property tax burdens in the US? | Fact brief

Maine has the fifth-highest property tax burden among the 50 states, according to one commonly used methodology, supporting a claim repeated by Republican gubernatorial nominee Bobby Charles.

The Tax Foundation, a nonprofit research group, says Maine’s high ranking is based on property tax collections as a percent of personal income. By that metric, Vermont ranked highest at 5%, followed by New Hampshire (4.9%), New Jersey (4.7%), New York (4.3%) and Maine (4.1%). 

The foundation said Maine’s ranking reflects high rates, its estate and real estate transfer taxes, and its taxation of tangible personal property without an exemption.

Still, the foundation noted that Maine’s high property tax burden is offset by a lack of local sales taxes, “which enables the state to maintain one of the lowest combined sales tax rates in the nation.” The foundation ranked Maine 26th overall in total tax burden on residents and businesses.