The Ellsworth Finance Department is responsible for collection of real estate and personal property taxes, motor vehicle excise taxes, and other accounts receivable as well as maintaining the City’s investments, reserve funds, grant funds, and project financing.
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Real estate and personal property tax collection
Motor vehicle registration
Sewer and water billing & collection
Solid waste billings
Septage billing
When are property taxes due?
The exact dates vary each year but are always approximately during the second week of September and the second week of March. The exact date is found on your tax bill. You can look up your tax bill via our Online Services page.
Where do I send my property tax payment?
Property tax payments can be mailed to 1 City Hall Plaza. Checks should be made payable to City of Ellsworth.
How much did I pay in property taxes last year?
You can obtain a copy of your prior year tax bills through the Online Services page or you can contact our office at 207-669-6620.
How Do I pay my Property Taxes?
It is important to know when taxes are due. The exact dates vary each year but are always approximately during the second week of September and the second week of March. The exact date is found on your tax bill. You can look up your tax bill on our Online Services page.
Your payments can be mailed to 1 City Hall Plaza. Checks should be made payable to City of Ellsworth.
The City accepts both debit and credit cards. Debit cards can only be processed in person, and credit cards can be processed in person or over the phone. The City uses Maine PayPort, a credit card processing service, and there is an additional 2.5% charge ($1.00 minimum) to use a credit card.
You can also pay your taxes by going to the Online Services page.
You may need your Property Tax Bill from last year. You can obtain a copy of your prior year tax bills through the Online Services page. Or contact our office for this information.
How do I find out how much my Excise Tax will be?
You can get an estimate of the amount of your excise tax using our Excise Tax Calculator.
What is excise tax?
Excise Tax is an annual tax that must be paid prior to registering your vehicle. Except for a few statutory exemptions, all vehicles registered in the State of Maine are subject to the Excise Tax.
Excise Tax is defined by State Statute as a tax levied annually for the privilege of operating a motor vehicle or camper trailer on the public ways. Excise Tax is paid at the local municipal office where the owner of the vehicle resides. The municipality that collects the excise tax can use it as revenue towards the annual municipal budget. Typically, the revenue is spent on local road maintenance, construction and repair.The amount of tax is determined by two things: 1.) The age of the vehicle and 2.) MSRP (manufactured suggested retail price). Excise Tax is calculated by multiplying the MSRP by the mil rate as shown below. The rates drop back on January 1st of each year. Step Mil Rate
Year 1 .0240
Year 2 .0175
Year 3 .0135
Year 4 .0100
Year 5 .0065
Year 6 .0040For example, a 3 year old car with an MSRP of $19,500 would pay $263.25 in excise tax. To get an estimate of your Excise Tax use our Excise Tax Calculator.
What is an SR-22?
An SR-22 is a financial responsibility form that needs to be completed if you have ever been stopped for a traffic violation and did not have vehicle insurance. You would be notified by the State of Maine if this form was required to be completed.
Can I have my insurance card faxed to city hall?
Yes – our fax number is 207-667-4908
Does the city accept debit or credit cards?
Yes, the City accepts both debit and credit cards. The City uses Maine PayPort, a credit card / debit card processing service, there is an additional 2.5% charge to use a credit or debit card. There are no additional fees for paying with cash or checks.
What are the city hall office hours?
Ellsworth City Hall office hours are Monday thru Friday – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Ellsworth City Hall is closed for the following holidays:
- New Year’s Day January 1
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 3rd Monday in January
- President’s Day 3rd Monday In February
- Memorial Day Last Monday in May
- Independence Day July 4
- Labor Day First Monday in September
- Columbus Day Second Monday in October
- Veteran’s Day November 11
- Thanksgiving 4th Thursday & Friday in November
- Christmas December 25
A holiday that falls on a Saturday will be observed on the preceding Friday.
A holiday that falls on a Sunday will be observed on the following Monday.