If you live in Maine and haven’t filed your 2025 state tax return yet, there’s an important deadline coming up. You could qualify for a $300 Affordability Payment, but you’ll need to file your return by October 15, 2026.
This payment is easy to miss because there isn’t a separate application. Maine Revenue Services uses your 2025 state tax return to determine whether you’re eligible.
Here’s what you need to know so you don’t miss your chance to qualify.
What Is the Maine Affordability Payment?
The Affordability Payment is a one-time $300 payment for eligible Maine residents.
The program was created to return a portion of Maine sales and excise taxes to residents considered disproportionately affected by those costs.
It’s not a loan or an advance on your income taxes, and you don’t need to submit a separate application.
Instead, Maine Revenue Services uses information from your 2025 Maine individual income tax return to determine eligibility.
Payments began going out in late July 2026.
The Deadline That Matters: October 15, 2026
To qualify, you must file your 2025 Maine individual income tax return by October 15, 2026.
This requirement applies even if your income is low enough that you otherwise wouldn’t normally need to file.
If you haven’t filed yet, don’t wait until the last minute. Filing earlier gives you more time to address any problems that may come up with your return before the deadline.
Who Qualifies for the $300 Payment?
To qualify, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- You file a 2025 Maine individual income tax return by October 15, 2026, as a full-year Maine resident;
- You cannot be eligible to be claimed as someone else’s dependent for the 2025 tax year; and
- Your 2025 federal adjusted gross income is less than the applicable limit for your filing status.
The income limits are:
- Single or married filing separately: Less than $50,000
- Head of household: Less than $75,000
- Married filing jointly or qualifying surviving spouse: Less than $100,000
If your income is low enough that you weren’t otherwise planning to file a Maine return, filing may still be worthwhile if you meet the requirements for this payment.
In fact, Maine Revenue Services says people who file a return only to claim the Property Tax Fairness Credit or Sales Tax Fairness Credit may still qualify for the Affordability Payment.
Those credits and the Affordability Payment are handled separately.
Can Married Couples Get $600?
Potentially, yes.
If an eligible married couple files jointly, Maine Revenue Services says each eligible recipient receives a separate $300 payment in their own name.
That means an eligible married couple could receive two $300 checks, for a total of $600.
How Does the $300 Arrive?
Maine Revenue Services sends the Affordability Payment as a paper check.
There’s no direct-deposit option specifically for this payment.
Checks are automatically mailed to eligible recipients using the address Maine Revenue Services has on file, which will generally be the mailing address listed on your 2025 Maine individual income tax return.
What If I Moved?
If you submitted a change-of-address request to the U.S. Postal Service, Maine Revenue Services says your payment will automatically be forwarded to your new address.
If you need to change your address directly with Maine Revenue Services, you’ll need to submit a written request that includes your name, Social Security number, signature, date of the request, and proof of your new address.
Maine Revenue Services says this documentation can be emailed to Affordability.MRS@maine.gov.
Can Maine Take the Payment for Debts I Owe?
Here’s another helpful protection: Maine Revenue Services says the Affordability Payment cannot be used to offset debts you owe to Maine Revenue Services or other Maine state agencies.
So owing back taxes or another debt to a state agency does not mean Maine Revenue Services will automatically keep this particular payment.
Is the Payment Taxable?
The Affordability Payment is not subject to Maine individual income tax.
However, Maine Revenue Services says the payment may be subject to federal income tax.
If the payment is taxable federally and becomes part of your 2026 or 2027 federal adjusted gross income, Maine allows you to subtract that amount when calculating your Maine taxable income for the corresponding year.
How Do I Get My Payment?
There’s no separate application for the Affordability Payment.
Here’s what to do:
- File your 2025 Maine individual income tax return by October 15, 2026.
- Make sure you meet the other eligibility requirements, including the residency, dependent, and income rules.
- Use the Maine Revenue Services Affordability Payment status checker to check your eligibility and payment status.
- Make sure Maine Revenue Services or the U.S. Postal Service has your current mailing address.
If you’ve already filed your 2025 return and meet the other eligibility requirements, you don’t need to submit a separate application for the payment.
If you confirm that you’re eligible but haven’t received your check within six weeks, call the Affordability Payment assistance line at 207-624-9924.
If the status checker says you’re ineligible but you believe you qualify, you can also call that number or email Affordability.MRS@maine.gov.
Don’t Wait Until October 14
October 15 is a real eligibility deadline.
If you don’t normally file a Maine income tax return because of your income, don’t automatically assume this payment isn’t for you. You may still qualify, and filing could also give you an opportunity to claim Maine’s Property Tax Fairness Credit or Sales Tax Fairness Credit if you’re eligible.
The important thing is to give yourself enough time to file an accurate return before the deadline.
Relief Recap
Maine’s Affordability Payment could provide $300 per eligible recipient, but you must file your 2025 Maine individual income tax return by October 15, 2026.
You must also have been a full-year Maine resident, meet the applicable federal AGI limit, and not be eligible to be claimed as someone else’s dependent.
There’s no separate application. If you qualify, Maine Revenue Services will automatically mail your payment as a paper check.
While you’re getting your paperwork together, you can also use our Help Near Me tool to look for other assistance programs available in your area.
