This bill authorizes the town of Belmont to raise the asset, income, and benefit limits for seniors seeking property tax abatement by amounts that exceed the annual cost-of-living adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. The legislation allows the town to catch up on missed inflation adjustments if it had not previously adopted these specific state law provisions when they were first enacted. However, a cap is placed on any single increase so that the resulting limits do not surpass what they would have been had the town accepted and adjusted the clauses annually from their original enactment date.
This bill authorizes the city of Cambridge to grant a personal property tax exemption for items valued at $30,000 or less. It overrides existing state laws that might otherwise prevent the city from offering this specific tax break. The change applies immediately upon the bill's passage and directly affects residents or businesses in Cambridge who own personal property within the specified value limit.
This bill changes how property taxes are calculated for residential properties in Watertown starting in fiscal year 2027. It requires the city to adjust its tax formula so that the minimum residential tax rate is set at 50 percent, unless a higher rate is needed to keep total taxes within a specific limit. The law ensures that the overall tax burden on all property types does not exceed 175 percent of the property's full cash value. This change directly affects homeowners and other property owners in Watertown by altering the specific rates used to determine their annual tax bills.
This bill authorizes the town of Holliston to create a temporary property tax exemption for senior citizens living in homes that have received debt exclusion funding for construction projects. To qualify, applicants must be at least 60 years old, have lived in the town for at least 10 years, and have income levels that would make them eligible for the state's circuit breaker income tax credit. The Select Board will set the annual exemption amount between 10% and 40% of the applicant's previous circuit breaker credit, and the Board of Assessors can deny the exemption if the applicant has excessive assets. The program is designed to expire three years after the bill takes effect, though the town may choose to renew it for additional three-year periods.
This bill provides funding for various state agencies and programs for the fiscal year 2026, including support for substance addiction services, homelessness programs, and emergency management. It also establishes a separate State Lottery and Gaming Fund to manage lottery revenues specifically for paying prizes, operating costs, and providing aid for local property tax relief and affordable childcare. Additionally, the legislation updates laws regarding military service recognition by defining specific conflict periods and removing residency requirements for certain veterans' benefits.
This bill authorizes the town of Wakefield to create a property tax exemption specifically for senior citizens who meet certain income and residency requirements. To qualify, applicants must be at least 65 years old, have lived in the town for at least 10 years, and have income levels that would make them eligible for the state's circuit breaker tax credit. The exemption amount is set annually based on the previous year's circuit breaker credit, and the town's assessors review applications to ensure applicants do not have excessive assets. The program is designed to run for a maximum of three years before expiring.
This bill establishes a real estate transfer fee of up to 2% on property sales in Boston to fund affordable housing and senior tax relief programs. The fee is paid by the seller but excludes the first $2 million of a property's value and includes exemptions for family transfers, government entities, and other specific cases. Collected funds must be deposited into the Neighborhood Housing Trust, though the city can reserve some for additional housing stability initiatives. Additionally, the legislation updates the criteria for senior homeowner property tax exemptions by raising income and asset limits to better protect vulnerable residents from displacement.
Substituted by the House, on motion of Mr. Walsh of Peabody, for a bill with the same title (House, No. 4526) [Local Approval Received]. April 30, 2026.
By Representative Kassner of Hamilton, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Kristin E. Kassner and others relative to senior property tax credits. Revenue.
HD 5630 would allow the town of Reading to create a property tax exemption for seniors meeting specific income, age, and residency requirements. It directly affects seniors aged 65+ (or 60+ with a 65+ partner) who own and live in their Reading home for 10+ years, have income qualifying for the state's circuit breaker tax credit, and limited assets. The exemption amount would be set annually by Reading's select board at 100-150% of the qualifying circuit breaker credit, applied only to the primary residence. Applicants must reapply yearly with income and asset documentation, and the exemption expires after three years. The town would fund this through proportional adjustments to the residential tax levy.
