Budget & Taxes (Tax Incentives)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1088: An Act providing volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians with a local option real estate tax exemption

This bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to create programs that reduce real estate taxes for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who serve their communities. Localities can offer tax reductions up to $2,500 annually per property, in addition to any existing exemptions, as long as the reduction is tied to the volunteer’s service. Towns must track and document each participant’s tax reduction amount and criteria, ensuring the reduced tax rate appears on the bill. The bill clarifies that these tax reductions are not considered income, wages, or employment for tax or workers' compensation purposes, and participants are classified as public employees under Chapter 258.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax exemption for volunteer firefighters/EMTs, reducing their real estate tax burden - direct tax relief for community service workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2764: An Act expanding the senior property tax exemption

HD 2764 amends a property tax provision to allow cities and towns to increase the senior property tax exemption amount. Currently, municipalities could adjust exemptions for seniors aged 65+ by up to 100% of existing amounts. This bill specifically permits raising the base exemption from $500 to a maximum of $2,000. The change directly affects senior homeowners in participating municipalities who qualify for the tax exemption. It provides local governments with greater flexibility to expand financial relief for eligible seniors.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax exemption for seniors, providing direct tax relief to lower-income seniors, aligning with support indicators for tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2950: An Act establishing a tax exemption for pension income for certain senior citizens of the Commonwealth

This bill creates a tax exemption for certain senior citizens' pension income in Massachusetts. It exempts the first $20,000 of taxable pension income annually, and provides a 100% exemption for taxpayers who have paid tax on pension income for over 20 years. To qualify, individuals must be Massachusetts residents over 65, with income at or below the area median income defined by the Department of Housing and Community Development. The exemption applies directly to eligible senior citizens receiving pension income subject to state tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief to lower/middle-income seniors via pension income exemption, directly advancing fiscal support for vulnerable groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Tax Incentives

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2562: An Act to promote urban agriculture and horticulture

This bill (HD 2562) creates a property tax exemption for small urban farms in qualifying cities and towns. It exempts up to 100% of the assessed value of real estate used for agriculture or horticulture, provided the land is under 2 acres, the farm generated at least $500 in annual sales, and the property is used primarily for farming. Cities or towns with 50,000+ residents or designated as "gateway municipalities" must choose to adopt the exemption, and they can set the exemption percentage and decide if rooftop/container farms qualify. The exemption applies only to the agricultural portion of the property, not the entire parcel.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax exemption for qualifying urban farms, reducing tax burden for small agricultural operations under specific criteria.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2476: An Act establishing a property tax exemption for members of the National Guard

This bill creates a property tax exemption for Massachusetts National Guard members and reservists who meet specific residency requirements. It exempts the full taxable value of their primary residence (occupied by them or their spouse) during active duty outside Massachusetts plus 180 days, provided they were domiciled in Massachusetts for at least 6 months before service or 5 consecutive years before filing. The state will cover 75% of the lost tax revenue by reimbursing cities and towns annually, while the local municipality bears the remaining 25%. The exemption does not apply to properties transferred to evade taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax exemption for National Guard members, providing tax relief while state reimburses lost revenue to municipalities.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides property tax exemption for National Guard members during active duty, directly expanding financial benefits for veterans as per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Tax Incentives National Guard & Reserve

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3981: An Act granting property tax relief to seniors

This bill (HD 3981) allows Massachusetts cities and towns to provide property tax relief to seniors aged 75 or older. It authorizes local boards of assessors to grant a tax abatement of up to 100% on real and personal property taxes for qualifying residents. Eligibility criteria for this relief would be set by each municipality's board of assessors. The program is optional for local governments, meaning communities must choose to adopt it before offering this tax reduction to seniors.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax relief for seniors (75+), reducing tax burden. Aligns with tax relief for lower-income groups, supporting fiscal relief measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4088: An Act to promote the development of abandoned buildings

HD 4088 provides tax incentives for corporations and individuals renovating abandoned buildings into housing projects. It allows a 10% deduction of renovation costs when calculating taxable income for qualifying projects. For housing developments, the bill exempts either the sale profits or rental income from taxable income for five years if units are rented out. These provisions apply specifically to projects certified under Chapter 23A and defined as "abandoned buildings" under Chapter 200A.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax deductions (10% renovation cost) and income exemptions for housing projects, directly using tax policy to incentivize development and promote housing through fiscal relief.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax incentives for renovating abandoned buildings into housing, directly advancing affordable housing development through financial support for qualifying projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Property Development

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4223: An Act relative to income tax relief for senior citizens

This bill (HD 4223) adds a $50,000 income tax exemption for Massachusetts residents aged 65 or older during the taxable year. It directly affects seniors who meet the age requirement by reducing their taxable income. The key provision inserts a new section into state tax law, allowing eligible seniors to exclude $50,000 from their taxable income when calculating state income tax. This is a concrete policy change that lowers tax liability for qualifying seniors without altering other tax rates or brackets. The exemption applies automatically to eligible individuals who reach age 65 by year-end.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $50,000 income tax exemption for seniors, reducing taxable income and lowering tax liability for qualifying residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Incentives

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 338: An Act establishing a tax exemption for municipalities paying for gas

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2049) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to establish a tax exemption for municipalities paying for gas. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax exemption for municipalities on gas purchases, providing direct tax relief which alignates with 'provides tax relief' indicator for Budget & Taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3496: An Act relative to the small commercial tax exemption

This bill modifies tax exemption rules for small commercial properties in Massachusetts cities and towns. It allows local governments to grant tax exemptions to commercial parcels where at least 50% of occupants are "eligible businesses," or for mixed residential/commercial properties where 50% of the commercial portion meets this threshold. The change directly affects small businesses seeking tax relief and local officials administering property tax exemptions. It does not define "eligible businesses" but sets a clear 50% occupancy requirement for exemption eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax exemptions for small businesses, providing direct tax relief per summary's 'tax relief' language for eligible commercial properties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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