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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Franklin County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Franklin County, ME. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Base rate ~1% of assessed value, varies significantly by municipality and special taxing districts
Exemptions
6+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Franklin County, Maine operates under a property tax system that serves as the primary funding mechanism for essential local services including public education, road maintenance, emergency services, and county administration. Property owners in Franklin County pay taxes based on the assessed value of their real estate, with the state's base rate typically around 1% of assessed value, though actual effective rates vary significantly by municipality and special taxing districts within the county.

The property tax system in Franklin County follows Maine's decentralized approach, where individual towns and municipalities set their own mill rates to fund local services, while the county levy supports county-wide functions. This means property owners may see considerable variation in their tax rates depending on their specific location within Franklin County, as rates are influenced by local school district funding needs, municipal services, and any special assessment districts such as fire protection districts or infrastructure improvement zones.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate RangeDescription
Municipal Base LevyVaries by townFunds basic municipal services, administration, and local infrastructure
School District AssessmentVaries by districtLargest component, typically funding K-12 education and school operations
County Assessment~2-4 millsSupports county services including sheriff, courts, and county administration
Special Districts0-10+ millsFire districts, water/sewer districts, or improvement districts where applicable

Note: Specific tax rates for fiscal year 2025-2026 are determined by individual municipalities within Franklin County and vary significantly by location. The total effective rate typically ranges from 10-25 mills ($10-$25 per $1,000 of assessed value) depending on your municipality and special taxing districts. Contact your local town office for precise current rates, as these are set annually during municipal budget processes.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Franklin County, property taxes are due in two installments:

Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes in Franklin County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes to property ownership, improvements, or corrections to assessments outside the regular annual assessment cycle. Common triggers include new construction completion, property splits or combinations, discovery of previously unassessed improvements, or corrections to assessment errors discovered mid-year.

When supplemental taxes are issued, they are calculated by applying the current year's tax rate to the change in assessed value, prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining. For example, if you complete a $50,000 home addition in January and your municipality has a 20-mill rate, you would owe approximately $1,000 in supplemental taxes ($50,000 × 0.020 = $1,000). If you have concerns about supplemental tax assessments, contact the Franklin County Revenue Collection Office, as the accuracy of tax information can vary and should be verified with official records.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less: Homestead Exemption (if eligible): $25,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $275,000
  • Tax Rate: 18 mills (example)
  • Annual Tax: $4,950 ($275,000 × 0.018)
  • Monthly Escrow: $412.50

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Homestead Exemption (if eligible): $25,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $575,000
  • Tax Rate: 18 mills (example)
  • Annual Tax: $10,350 ($575,000 × 0.018)
  • Monthly Escrow: $862.50

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Homestead Exemption (if eligible): $25,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $975,000
  • Tax Rate: 18 mills (example)
  • Annual Tax: $17,550 ($975,000 × 0.018)
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,462.50

Note: Homestead exemptions require annual application and are not automatic. Tax rates used are examples only - actual rates vary by municipality within Franklin County.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Franklin County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property tax payments, particularly for loans with less than 20% down payment. Your lender collects monthly property tax payments along with your mortgage payment, holds these funds in escrow, and pays your property taxes when they become due. The lender typically pays the first half on September 1st and the second half by June 20th of the following year, ensuring payments are made within the grace periods to avoid interest charges.

Lenders are required to provide annual escrow statements showing how your tax payments were calculated and disbursed. Since Franklin County property taxes can fluctuate based on assessment changes and rate adjustments, your monthly escrow payment may be adjusted annually. If you believe your lender has incorrect tax information or payment amounts, contact both your lender and the Franklin County Revenue Collection Office to verify the accuracy of your tax liability and ensure proper payment coordination.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Franklin County property taxes due for fiscal year 2025-2026? A: The first payment is due September 1, 2025, with a grace period until November 1, 2025, before interest begins accruing. The second payment is due June 20, 2026.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they require application? A: The primary tax credit available is the Homestead Exemption, which reduces your taxable assessed value by up to $25,000. This credit requires annual application and is not automatic. Contact the Franklin County Auditor's Office at 614-525-3240 to file your application.

Q: How does the Homestead credit work? A: The Homestead credit provides an exemption from taxation on up to $25,000 of your home's assessed value, provided it's your primary residence. This credit caps assessment increases rather than reducing market value, and you must apply annually to maintain eligibility.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Franklin County? A: Assessment schedules vary by municipality within Franklin County. Contact your local town assessor for specific reassessment cycles and procedures for appealing assessments if you believe your property is overvalued.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Interest begins accruing on unpaid taxes after November 1st for the first payment and after June 20th for the second payment. Contact your municipal tax collector for specific interest rates and penalty structures.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Online payment options vary by municipality within Franklin County. Check with your local town office or tax collector for available electronic payment methods and any associated processing fees.

Q: Why do tax rates vary within Franklin County? A: Each municipality sets its own tax rate based on local budget needs, and additional special districts (fire, water, sewer) may impose additional assessments. Your total rate depends on your specific location and which districts serve your property.

Q: What if I disagree with my tax bill or assessment? A: If you believe your tax liability or assessment information is incorrect, contact the Revenue Collection Office immediately. You may also have appeal rights through your local board of assessment review, typically with specific filing deadlines after assessment notices are issued.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
Tax Doc
Income Tax Property Taxcolumbus.gov
02
Tax Doc
ESTIMATED FULL VALUE TAX RATESmaine.gov
03
Tax Doc
Tax Rates | Maine Revenue Servicesmaine.gov
04
Commissioners-Packet-8-20-2024.pdffranklincountymaine.gov
05
County
Tax Assessment - Franklin Countyfranklincountypa.gov
06
County
Real Estate Taxes | Franklin County, KS - Official Websitefranklincountyks.gov
07
Homestead Exemptiontreasurer.franklincountyohio.gov
08
HOUSE BILL 60 PROPONENT TESTIMONY ...search-prod.lis.state.oh.us
09
COURSE PT101 HANDOUTSmaine.gov
10
Tax Doc
Town of Franklin - Tax Bills Search & Payfranklinct.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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