How is property assessed?

Property in Maine is assessed according to rules embedded in the State Constitution, Maine Statutes  (mostly Title 36), and case law. Thus the Assessing Agent acts as an agent of the State, although employed by the Town.  These rules all direct the Assessing Agents to approximate the market value of taxable property within the town, using a similar system for each property class. Annually the state's Property Tax Division audits the work of the Assessing Agent to ensure compliance with legal practices.