Maine § 171. - Demand letter

§ 171.. Demand letter

1.  Taxes imposed by this Title.  If any tax imposed by this Title is not paid on or before its due date and no further administrative or judicial review of the assessment is available under section 151, the assessor, within 3 years after administrative and judicial review have been exhausted, may give the taxpayer notice of the amount to be paid, specifically designating the tax, interest and penalty due, and demand payment of that amount within 10 days of that taxpayer's receipt of notice. The notice must be given by personal service or sent by certified mail. The notice must include a warning that, upon failure of that taxpayer to pay as demanded, the assessor may proceed to collect the amount due by any collection method authorized by this Title. The notice must also describe the procedures applicable to the levy and sale of property under section 176‑A, the alternatives available to the taxpayer that could forestall levy on property, including installment agreements, and the provisions of this Title relating to redemption of property and the release of the lien on property created by virtue of the levy. If the taxpayer has filed a petition for relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code, the running of the 3-year period of limitation imposed by this section is stayed until the bankruptcy case is closed or a discharge is granted, whichever occurs first.

2.  Other debts owed to State.  In the case of a fee, fine, penalty or other obligation first owed to the State on or after January 1, 1988 and authorized to be collected by the bureau, the assessor, within 3 years after the obligation is first placed with the bureau for collection, may give the taxpayer notice of the amount to be paid, including any interest and penalties provided by law, and demand payment of that amount within 10 days of that taxpayer's receipt of notice. The notice must be given by personal service or sent by certified mail. The notice must include a warning that, upon failure of that taxpayer to pay as demanded, the assessor may proceed to collect the amount due by any collection method authorized by section 175‑A or 176‑A. The notice must describe the procedures applicable to the levy and sale of property under section 176‑A, the alternatives available to the taxpayer that could forestall levy on property, including installment agreements, and the provisions of this Title relating to redemption of property and the release of the lien on property created by virtue of the levy.