Bill > H3078

This bill provides municipalities in Massachusetts with the option to create a property tax freeze program specifically designed for elderly and disabled residents who meet certain means-tested criteria. Under this legislation, city or town councils can establish an ordinance allowing qualified individuals to have their property tax rate and valuation frozen if they meet specific requirements. To be eligible, applicants must: (1) own and occupy the property as their primary residence, (2) have lived in the city or town for at least 10 consecutive years, (3) be of a certain age (typically 65 or older) or totally and permanently disabled, and (4) have income and assets below a threshold determined by the local legislative body. The board of assessors can review applications and deny them if the applicant has excessive assets that place them outside the intended recipient group. The tax freeze would be an additional exemption to existing tax relief programs, and the property would remain on the tax rolls and still be subject to the municipality's bonded indebtedness. The goal of this bill is to provide financial relief to elderly and disabled homeowners by preventing their property taxes from increasing, thus helping them maintain their homes despite potential fixed or limited incomes.

Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3078