By Representative Rogers of Cambridge and Senator Brownsberger, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5661) of David M. Rogers and William N. Brownsberger (by vote of the town) that the town of Belmont be authorized to increase certain income, asset and benefit limits for senior property tax abatements. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]
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 allows the town of Shrewsbury to adjust the financial requirements for property tax exemptions for elderly residents. It lowers the minimum age to receive these exemptions from 70 to 65 and raises the maximum estate value limits to $61,490 for single applicants and $84,549 for married couples. The bill also increases the allowable income threshold to $29,879 for single people and $44,818 for married couples, with all monetary limits automatically adjusted each year based on the Consumer Price Index. These changes directly affect seniors in Shrewsbury who wish to qualify for reduced property taxes under state law.
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.
By Representative Arena-DeRosa of Holliston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5526) of James C. Arena-DeRosa (by vote of the town) that the town of Holliston be authorized to establish a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption for debt exclusion construction projects. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]
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.
By Representative Fluker-Reid of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5464) of Brandy Fluker-Reid (with the approval of the mayor and city council) relative to real estate transfer fees and senior property tax relief in the city of Boston. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]
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.
This bill expands a property tax exemption for homeowners in the town of Wellfleet, allowing them to exclude up to 35 percent of their home's assessed value from taxation. The exemption applies specifically to a taxpayer's principal residence or a year-round home occupied by a Wellfleet resident, with the town responsible for defining who qualifies as a resident. To receive this benefit, property owners must submit a written application to the town's board of assessors by the standard deadline, and the final tax bill cannot reduce the property's taxable value below 10 percent of its full worth.
By Representative Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5418) of Kate Lipper-Garabedian (by vote of the town) that the town of Wakefield be authorized to establish a means tested senior citizen property tax exemption in said town. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]
