Bill > H3105

This bill establishes a means-tested property tax exemption specifically designed for senior citizens in Massachusetts. The exemption allows cities and towns that choose to adopt it to provide property tax relief to seniors aged 65 or older (or 60 and older if jointly owned) who meet specific eligibility criteria. Qualifying seniors must have owned and occupied their residential property as their primary residence for at least 10 consecutive years, have an income below a certain threshold, and own a property valued at or below the local average single-family home value plus 10%. The tax exemption will be calculated by subtracting 10% of the homeowner's income and their prior year's circuit breaker tax credit from their total property tax bill, with a maximum reduction of 50% of the property tax. The total exemptions granted in a city or town will be capped at 0.5-1% of the total residential property tax levy, and the exemption will require annual application and will automatically expire every three years unless re-approved by the local legislative body. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue must also certify that the tax rate accommodates this exemption through a burden shift within the residential tax levy.

Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3105