Money, Taxes, & Debt
Featured Content January 2025
Cars are getting more expensive all the time – buying a car may be one of the biggest financial decisions you have to make. Know your rights and some information about the car-buying process before…
Featured Content January 2025
If you owe someone money, they can try to collect it from you by taking you to court. This guide will help you understand the court process and the rights you have. You are the debtor. The person who…
Featured Content July 2024
Welcome to PTLA’s Student Loan Project!
We provide free legal services to student loan borrowers.
We help people with:
January 2025
A disclosure hearing can happen once a creditor has a judgment against you for money you owe. Sometimes the creditor must take you to court to find out what property and income you have. This is…
January 2025
Statewide Help
The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance to low-income households for their energy bills.
December 2024
What is a Power of Attorney? Where can I learn more about Powers of Attorney in Maine?
December 2024
In Maine, if you cannot pay your tax bill for the property you live on, there is something you can do. Your city or town can decide that you don't have to pay some or all of it. This is called a "…
November 2024
We have drafted three form letters to help you respond to debt collectors. These letters will not fit all situations, but they address some of the most common issues.
November 2024
If a debt collector has just begun contacting you, within the first 30 days you have the right to request “validation” of the debt. While the debt collector is responding to your request, they can
September 2024
Introduction
Many people use self-storage facilities for a variety of reasons. It is important to know your rights when you put your property in a self-storage unit.
September 2024
General assistance (called GA after this) is a program run by every town to help people who don't have enough money to pay their necessary expenses. You may be eligible if your basic living costs are…
July 2024
Introduction
This page covers free and low-cost phone services available to Mainers.
June 2024
Federal student loans can be intimidating and confusing. In this article we will explain types of federal student loans, repayment plans and situations, and loan discharge and forgiveness programs.
June 2024
This information is to help you if you need to change a Department of Health Human Services (DHHS) Child Support Order.
July 2023
Yes. A person or company you owe money to can put a lien on a home that you own. But there may be something you can do about it. Maine law has some protections for homeowners in this situation.
June 2023
You can't pay all of your bills? How to you decide which ones to pay? The Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project provides this helpful guide.
June 2023
What to watch out for if you are offered a "pension loan" or "pension advancement."
May 2023
Introduction
The Maine Homestead Exemption may lower your property tax bill. It makes it so the town won't count $25,000 of value of your home for property tax purposes.
January 2023
We help people who run up against tax problems with the IRS. Our services are free.
October 2022
Divorce or separation can mean big changes on your taxes. Spousal support, also called alimony, and a name change are just a few things you may need to consider. Here are some tax tips to keep in…
September 2022
An injured spouse claim can help you get back your part of a tax refund from a joint tax return. It applies where the IRS has intercepted the refund to offset a debt owed by your spouse but not by…
September 2022
Do you get a health care tax subsidy for health insurance you bought through the "federal marketplace." Learn about your duty to report certain financial changes.
September 2022
I've just received a "Notice of tax due" letter from the IRS. What is this? The IRS sent you this letter because it believes you have not paid the total amount of taxes that you owe.
September 2022
Why do I need to know who is a "qualifying child?"
If you have children, there are some tax credits you might be able to claim.
September 2022
Introduction
Tax scams can take many forms. They may be after money, or trying to steal your identity - either way, the more you know, the better you will be able to avoid these scams!
September 2022
This page explains how child support collection works in Maine. The law and the process differ from state to state. Maine has several tools to collect both current and overdue child support. These…
August 2022
As with all commercial products, buyer beware! Pre-paid debit cards are often viewed as convenient alternatives to cash and expensive checking accounts. While there may be many advantages to these…
July 2022
Introduction
Many Maine employers are using payroll cards instead of paper checks or direct deposit to pay wages. This is a growing trend around the country.
July 2022
Introduction
Sometimes a creditor who successfully sues you on a debt will place a lien on your vehicle to "secure the judgment." They do this by filing a document with the Maine Secreta
July 2022
Notice: The Maine HAF Program is winding down. Complete applications received after January 10, 5 PM will be put on a waitlist.
April 2022
Introduction
Maine has old homes and old homes need repairs. In fact, all homes will need repairs at some point! Home repairs can be expensive and can affect your life in many ways.
November 2021
What happens if I am sued for a debt in district court?
If you are sued for a debt in district court, the creditor is the Plaintiff and you are the Defendant.
July 2021
How do I know if I can get a tax refund?
In Maine, when you stay in some kinds of short term rentals, like a hotel or motel room, you pay a state sales tax
July 2021
This information is to help you if you need to change a Department of Health Human Services (DHHS) Child Support Order.
April 2020
Liste des crédits d’impôts et de prestations du Maine.
English
April 2020
Lista de Créditos y Beneficios para los Impuestos de Maine
Français
July 2019
Yearly income guidelines for PTLA's Low Income Taxpayer Clinic.
July 2019
Información sobre nuestro programa de asistencia al contribuyente de bajos ingresos puede ayudarle a presentar la información necesaria para satisfacer las pruebas que se requieren para reclamar las…
June 2019
It is not easy to balance a household budget when you have a low income. But you can supplement your income by claiming all of the benefits and supports you have the right to claim. Here is a…
December 2018
This guide lays out your options for many different student loan debt situations.
Is this guide for you?
You may use this guide if:
December 2018
What is this information and how will it help me?
This information is for parents who are being pursued by Maine DHHS for payment of child support, especially when there is no order of ch
December 2018
Payday loans can look like a good deal. But they aren’t. Here is what payday loans looks like, why you should avoid them, and some possible alternatives.
December 2018
Yes. But there may be something you can do about it. Maine law has some protections for homeowners in this situation.
December 2018
This is a tax credit for people who modify their home to make it more accessible for a household member with a disability.
December 2018
Lots of money flows at tax time. And everyone wants a piece of it. Be smart and keep all of your refund. Here are our simple tips for holding onto your hard-earned money.
December 2018
Tax Topics for 2022
We have selected a few of the most relevant topics from the IRS Tax Tips free email service.
December 2018
What is identity theft?
Identity theft can happen to anyone. If this has happened to you, you are not alone.
December 2018
Tax credits for people with low incomes who own their own homes or pay rent.
December 2018
This year, you won’t have to worry about losing your benefits if you get a big tax refund. Starting in 2011, any tax refunds you get will not affect most public benefits, or how much you get!
December 2018
If you're more than $500 in debt on your electric bill, this program may be able to help you. You pay just your current monthly electric bill, each month and on time. For each month that you pay…
November 2018
Si hay una brecha entre el dinero que usted tiene y lo que usted verdaderamente necesita, usted podría estar interesado en saber más sobre la Asistencia General. Aquí se encuentra información sobre…
November 2018
The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) is a project of Pine Tree Legal Assistance. The Clinic helps clients deal with questions and problems with the Internal Revenue Service. Our services are free.
November 2018
Beaucoup d’argent circule au moment des impôts. Et tout le monde en veut.