Real Estate Transfer Tax Database FAQs

  1. What is the Real Estate Transfer Tax database?
  2. Is there a fee to use the Real Estate Transfer Tax database?
  3. How do I obtain a Maine Tax Portal username?
  4. I am an Originator and I already have a Maine Tax Portal username for other tax types. Do I need to do anything further to access the RETT database?
  5. I represent a county registry or a municipality and the county or municipality already has a Maine Tax Portal username.  Do I need to do anything further to access the RETT database? 
  6. I am the primary user of a county or municipal Maine Tax Portal account.  How do I authorize secondary logons so that other users may access the RETT account?
  7. Why do I need to set up two-factor authentication for my Maine Tax Portal account?
  8. Can I set up more than one method of two-factor authentication for my Maine Tax Portal account?
  9. How does an Originator create a Real Estate Transfer Tax declaration?
  10. What happens to the Real Estate Transfer Tax declaration after it is submitted by an Originator?
  11. Can an Originator submit a Controlling Interest Transfer Tax declaration using the Maine Tax Portal?
  12. Can an Originator submit a Foreclosure Transfer Tax Affidavit using the Maine Tax Portal?
  13. How does an Originator pay the transfer tax?
  14. What should an Originator do if an RETT declaration is rejected by the Registry of Deeds?
  15. Can an Originator search for and view declarations they previously submitted?
  16. How can a municipal user search for and view RETT declarations for property transfers that occurred within their municipality?
  17. How can a municipal user bulk print copies of RETT declarations for property transfers within their municipality?
  18. How can a municipal user use the Maine Tax Portal to update RETT declarations or input a property’s assessed value?
  19. How can a municipality submit their annual Real Estate Assessment Analysis Return (Turn Around Document) using the Maine Tax Portal?
  20. How do I locate and use the Public Search feature?
  21. What if I have additional questions?


1.  What is the Real Estate Transfer Tax database?

The Real Estate Transfer Tax (“RETT”) database is an electronic database available on the Maine Tax Portal (“MTP”) that allows:

  • Originators (agents who are authorized to file a transfer tax declaration, such as attorneys, title company employees, or others who assist in the transfer of Maine real property) to create and electronically file RETT declarations;
  • Registry of Deeds officials to process RETT declarations;
  • Municipalities to view and print RETT declarations and to update data for the annual Real Estate Assessment Analysis Return (i.e., Turn Around Document); and
  • Members of the public to search for and view approved RETT declarations.

As of October 15, 2024, the RETT database has updated functionalities and will be available through the Maine Tax Portal at www.revenue.maine.gov. 
 


2. Is there a fee to use the Real Estate Transfer Tax database?

No. There is no fee to create an MTP account or use the RETT database.  
 


3.  How do I obtain a Maine Tax Portal username?

The process of creating an MTP username depends on your role. 

  1. Originators:
  • Access the MTP at www.revenue.maine.gov. 
  • Locate the Property Taxes panel and click on the Register a Real Estate Transfer Tax Originator link.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to create your Originator account.
  • Once your MTP account is created, you may submit RETT declarations. 
  1. Registry of Deeds officials:
  • Access the MTP at www.revenue.maine.gov. 
  • Click on the Create a Username link in the upper right portion of the page.
  • Select the reason of Municipality or county or registry.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to create your Registry username.
  • Authorize any required secondary logon users (see FAQ #14 below).  If you do not create secondary users, the review and approval of RETT declarations will be limited to the primary Registrar user only.
  • Once your MTP account is created, you may review, approve or reject RETT declarations.
  1. Municipal officials:
  • Access the MTP at www.revenue.maine.gov.
  • Click on the Create a Username link in the upper right portion of the page.
  • Select the reason of Municipality or county or registry.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to create your municipal username.
  • Authorize any required secondary logon users (see FAQ #14 below).  If you do not create secondary users, the review and approval of RETT declarations will be limited to the primary municipal user only.
  • Once your MTP account is created, you may review the finalized RETT declarations for any real estate transfers that have occurred in your municipality.
     


4.  I am an Originator and I already have a Maine Tax Portal username for other tax types. Do I need to do anything further to access the RETT database?

You must create a new Originator account with a new username to submit RETT declarations using the RETT database.  Originators with MTP accounts for other tax types (such as individual income tax or other business taxes) will not be able to submit RETT declarations using those accounts.  To create a new login for the MTP as an Originator, see section A of FAQ #3 above.
 


5.  I represent a county registry or a municipality and the county or municipality already has a Maine Tax Portal username.  Do I need to do anything further to access the RETT database? 

The RETT account will automatically populate for the county or municipality following the transition of the RETT database to the MTP.  However, in order for anyone other than the primary user to access the county or municipality’s RETT account, a secondary logon will need to be created by the primary user, see FAQ #6 below.  Secondary logons allow multiple users to securely access the same account. MRS discourages password sharing and highly recommends the use of secondary logons for additional users as the best way to ensure that you are safeguarding your office’s tax information.
 


6. I am the primary user of a county or municipal Maine Tax Portal account.  How do I authorize secondary logons so that other users may access the RETT account?

To add a secondary logon, the primary registry or municipal user must be logged into their Maine Tax Portal account.

  • Click on the Manage My Profile link in the upper right side of the screen.
  • Select the More tab.
  • Locate the My Users panel and click on the Manage Secondary Logons link.
  • Click on the Add link in the user access table to begin adding secondary logons.
  • Input the username, name, email address, and user type for the secondary logon.  Unless a secondary user requires special or limited permissions, MRS recommends selecting User as the secondary logon’s access type.
  • Click Next.
  • In the account access table, click on the Select None link, and use the filter bar to locate the account access type for the secondary logon. 
    • If you are a registry user, choose Real Estate Transfer as the account type.
    • If you are a municipal user, choose Real Estate Municipality as the account type.
  • Click Submit.  A notification will alert you that the secondary user will receive an email with further instructions on how to finish creating their secondary logon. 
  • Repeat for each secondary logon you want to add.
     


7.  Why do I need to set up two-factor authentication for my Maine Tax Portal account?

Two-factor authentication provides you with additional security by taking steps to prevent unauthorized access to your MTP account.  You will be asked to select an authentication option during your first MTP login.  The available two-factor authentication options are an authenticator app, text message, or email.
 


8.  Can I set up more than one method of two-factor authentication for my Maine Tax Portal account?

Yes, you may choose to set up more than one method of two-factor authentication.
 


9.  How does an Originator create a Real Estate Transfer Tax declaration?

Originators must be logged into their account to create and submit a RETT declaration.  Once logged in, click on the Submit a RETT Declaration link and follow the on-screen instructions.  Originators should keep a record of the confirmation number and document locator number provided with each submission.
 


10.  What happens to the Real Estate Transfer Tax declaration after it is submitted by an Originator?

  • Once submitted, an RETT declaration is sent to Registry of Deeds officials of the county or region where the transferred real estate is located.
  • A registry official will review the declaration when the deed is received for recording.
  • After review, a registry official will either accept the declaration for recording or reject the declaration and send it back to the Originator.
  • If the Registry accepts the declaration for recording, the declaration will be sent to MRS for final review.
  • After MRS’ final review, approved declarations will be available to municipalities to view and print via the RETT database.  Finalized and approved declarations will also be available for viewing via the Public Search link.
     


11.  Can an Originator submit a Controlling Interest Transfer Tax declaration using the Maine Tax Portal?

Yes, Originators may submit a Controlling Interest Transfer Tax declaration using the MTP.   When an Originator is logged into their MTP account, they may click on the Submit a Controlling Interest Transfer Declaration link and follow the on-screen instructions to submit this declaration type.   Originators should keep a record of the confirmation number and document locator number provided with each electronic submission.
 


12.  Can an Originator submit a Foreclosure Transfer Tax Affidavit using the Maine Tax Portal?

Yes, an Originator may submit a Foreclosure Transfer Tax Affidavit using the MTP.  When an Originator is logged into their MTP account, they may click on the Submit a Foreclosure Transfer Declaration link and follow the on-screen instructions to submit this declaration type.  Originators should keep a record of the confirmation number and document locator number provided with each electronic submission.
 


13.  How does an Originator pay the transfer tax?

The transfer tax must be paid to the Registry of Deeds office of the county or region where the transferred real estate is located in the same manner that the tax is paid for declarations filed by paper.
 

14.  What should an Originator do if an RETT declaration is rejected by the Registry of Deeds?

Originator will receive an email informing them when a declaration has been rejected by a Registry.  Originators will also see a message in the Action Center of their MTP account.

Originators can log into their MTP account to view any rejected declarations by clicking on the View Rejected RETT Declarations link.  Originators will have the option to make corrections and resubmit the rejected declaration or delete the declaration.  
 


15.  Can an Originator search for and view declarations they previously submitted?

Yes, an Originator can log into their MTP account and view previously submitted declarations by clicking on the Declaration Search link.  Originators can search for previously submitted declarations using the document locator number (DLN), street address, municipality, or transfer date search criteria.  The Declaration Search also allows printing of individual RETT declaration forms.
 


16.  How can a municipal user search for and view RETT declarations for property transfers that occurred within their municipality?

A municipal user may log into their MTP account and view the declarations for property transfers that occurred within their municipality by clicking on the Declaration Search link.

Municipal users may search for RETT declarations using the DLN, transfer date (as listed on the RETT declaration), grantor, grantee, sales price range, or by book and page number search criteria.  Municipal users can also print individual, finalized RETT declarations directly from the Declaration Search feature.  If a municipal user prefers to print their RETT declarations in bulk, see FAQ #16 below.
 


17.  How can a municipal user bulk print copies of RETT declarations for property transfers within their municipality?

A municipal user may log into their MTP account to search for RETT declarations and print them in by clicking on the Municipal Real Estate Transaction Report link.

This link allows a municipal user to search for RETT declarations by a specified period of time, specified sales price range, with the option to include unusable sales.  When the municipal user submits the Municipal Real Estate Transaction Report, MRS will receive and process the request.  MRS will provide the municipal user any RETT declarations covered by the request via email, typically within 24 hours.  If a municipal user submits a request after 7:00 PM, on a weekend, or on a holiday, the request may take an additional 1-3 business days for MRS to receive and process.
 


18.  How can a municipal user use the Maine Tax Portal to update RETT declarations or input a property’s assessed value?

A municipal user may log into their MTP account to view RETT declarations for property transfers within their municipality and update or correct the information listed on it.  Updating the RETT declarations periodically throughout the year allows a Municipal Assessor to make these updates or corrections at their convenience.  Updated and corrected information will automatically populate on the municipality’s Real Estate Assessment Analysis Return (Turn Around Document).   

To view and update RETT declarations, click on the View and Update RETT Declarations link.  A municipal user will be given the opportunity to correct any errors in the reported property details, input the assessed land and building values, and identify whether the transfer should be listed as a usable sale on the municipality’s Real Estate Assessment Analysis Return (Turn Around Document). 
 


19.  How can a municipality submit their annual Real Estate Assessment Analysis Return (Turn Around Document) using the Maine Tax Portal?

On or after August 1st of each year, a municipal user may log into their MTP account to file the annual Real Estate Assessment Analysis Return (Turn Around Document).

  • Click on the View and File Returns link.
  • Click on the File Now link for the Real Estate Assessment Analysis Return.
  • Click Download Template to view and edit your municipality’s pre-populated property sales information.
  • Review and update the data in the Excel file that downloads as needed, inputting the assessed land and building values, assessor comments, etc.
  • Once all updates have been made, save and close the Excel file.
  • Click Upload Transfers and upload the Excel file you just saved.
  • The uploaded file will show as an attachment.
  • Proceed through the on-screen instructions to submit the Real Estate Assessment Analysis Return.
     


20.  How do I locate and use the Public Search feature? 

The RETT Public Search database is located on the Maine Tax Portal at www.revenue.maine.gov.  Locate the Property Taxes panel and click on the Public Search link.  This search feature can be accessed by any member of the public and does not require  an MTP username or account.  There is no fee to use this search feature.

You may search for RETT declarations using the county, municipality, property type, purchase price, book and page, or transfer dates search criteria.  Only the RETT declarations that have been approved by MRS are available for viewing.
 


21.  What if I have additional questions?

For further questions about the electronic RETT database or the MTP, please email prop.tax@maine.gov.