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The following was submitted by the Office of Sen. Jason Lewis:
Sen. Jason Lewis led the passage of legislation in the Massachusetts Senate to make it easier for municipalities to provide some tax relief to seniors struggling to pay increasing property taxes and not be taxed out of their communities.
An act authorizing the establishment of a means tested senior citizen property tax exemption makes it easier for communities to offer local property tax exemptions to seniors by creating an opt-in program for municipalities to institute a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption for income-eligible seniors who have lived in their community for at least 10 years.
“Rising property taxes have created serious financial burdens for many elderly residents across Massachusetts,” said Lewis. “I filed this affordability legislation to support and encourage municipalities who are trying to offer relief to struggling income-eligible seniors and enable them to continue living in their communities and not be driven out due to increasing property tax bills.”
This legislation builds upon the success of the recently-increased Massachusetts Senior Circuit Breaker tax credit and streamlines the process for municipalities to opt in to a local senior citizen property tax exemption program to encourage more communities to participate.
“We know that property taxes can be burdensome for many older homeowners,” said Jen Benson, Massachusetts State Director of AARP. “We appreciate the Massachusetts Senate taking action to help mitigate financial pressures so our older residents can stay in their homes and communities and continue to age with dignity.”
The bill was drafted with assistance from Victor Santaniello, the head of assessing in several communities including Reading and Wakefield, who has advocated for means-tested senior property tax exemptions and other local tax supports in our communities for many years.
The Senate approved Lewis’s bill with bipartisan support and sent it to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
