Mornings

Commissioner Laura Fortman

Photo: Newsradio WGAN

Commissioner Laura Fortman

 

Commissioner Laura Fortman with Maine Department Of Labor gives us an update on Maine’s Unemployment and Workforce.

  • Unemployment Claims Filed
  • Unemployment Benefits 

If you received unemployment benefits in 2020, you may be eligible to claim an exemption from both Maine and federal income tax. If you have an annual income of less than $150,000, regardless of filing status, recently enacted legislation exempts up to $10,200 in unemployment benefits from both federal and state income tax for tax year 2020. 

To claim the exemption, follow the updated instructions for filing your 2020 federal and Maine individual income tax returns.  

For information on filing your federal return, see www.irs.gov.  

For more information on the Maine unemployment benefits exemption and filing your Maine return, see www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/income-estate-tax

We have seen comments on our page asking people to send a message to the Department of Labor through the messaging app “Telegram.”

MDOL does not have a Telegram account. We will also never ask you for sensitive information through social media, and do not conduct business via text

Local Headlines

14 hours ago in Local

Penobscot County man in court after police chase reached speeds over 100 mph

Police say a Charleston man exceeded 100 miles per hour during a chase with police.

14 hours ago in Local

Crash leaves bicyclist with serious injuries in Westbrook

One man is in serious condition after he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle in Westbrook.

2 days ago in Local

Rockland Police arrest 19-year-old and Minor After Thomaston Theft

Police say minor faces theft and numerous other charges.

National Headlines

17 hours ago in National

Justice Department begins releasing long-awaited files tied to Epstein sex trafficking investigation

The Justice Department on Friday began releasing its files on Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender and wealthy financier known for his connections to some of the world's most influential people, including Donald Trump, who as president had tried to keep the files sealed.

2 days ago in National

Democrats keep 2024 election review under wraps, saying a public rehash won’t help them win in 2026

The Democratic National Committee head has decided not to publish a formal assessment of the party's defeat that returned Donald Trump to power and gave Republicans complete control in Washington.

2 days ago in National

US government admits role in causing helicopter-plane collision that killed 67 in Washington

The U.S. government admitted Wednesday that the actions of an air traffic controller and Army helicopter pilot played a role in causing a collision last January between an airliner and a Black Hawk near the nation's capital, killing 67 people.

3 days ago in National

4 Republicans defy Speaker Johnson to force House vote on extending ACA subsidies

Four centrist Republicans broke with Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday and signed onto a Democratic-led petition that will force a House vote on extending for three years an enhanced pandemic-era subsidy that lowers health insurance costs for millions of Americans.