Governor Janet Mills announced Thursday afternoon that the State of Maine will move the deadline for Maine individual income tax payments from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. The change aligns with the Federal government’s recent extension of the Federal tax filing and payment deadline.
Additionally, the filing deadline for Maine tax returns, which is distinct from the payment deadline, is automatically tied to the Federal date. As a result, the filing deadline for 2020 Maine income tax returns has also been moved to May 17, 2021. Like the Internal Revenue Service, Maine Revenue Services (MRS) will provide formal guidance in the coming days.
Maine individual taxpayers, including individuals who pay self-employment tax, do not need to file any forms or call to qualify for this deadline extension to May 17, 2021. For individuals who file via Form 1040ME (Maine Individual Income Tax Return) for the 2020 tax return, penalties and interest will not be applied for the period from April 16, 2021 until May 17, 2021.
Additionally, the bipartisan supplemental budget enacted by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Mills allows recipients of unemployment benefits to claim exemption from Maine income tax up to $10,200 for tax year 2020. This applies to those with an annual income of less than $150,000, regardless of filing status. Qualification criteria and tax forms are available at www.maine.gov/revenue.
The Federal government’s extension through May 17, 2021 does not apply to corporate returns and payments nor to individual and corporate estimated payments, all of which remain due on April 15, 2021. As a result, Maine’s deadlines for corporate and/or estimated filing and payments will also remain April 15, 2021.
Governor Mills announced similar relief for taxpayers last year, at the onset of the pandemic, when the State adjusted state tax deadlines to mirror those at the Federal level.
For questions about Maine income tax, visit the MRS website at www.maine.gov/revenue.
