S.H.I.N.E. (Serving the Health Information Needs of the Elderly) : A SHINE Counselor is available, by appointment, to assist seniors with health insurance and Medicare questions.
Tax Relief Program: If you are age 60 or over and own your own home, you can take advantage of the Senior Citizens Property Tax Relief Work-Off Program. You can work for the Town and receive up to a $500 credit on your tax bill. There are a variety of assignments available, both in the municipal and school departments, such as typing, data entry, filing, and outdoor and indoor maintenance. To apply, please call the Volunteer Coordinator.
Tax Program: AARP-trained volunteers assist seniors in completing income tax forms each year, February 1st through April 15th. Donations are accepted.
“The Circuit Breaker” program is designed to alleviate some of the burdens that the property tax can create for senior citizens and disabled persons. Currently the Circuit Breaker Tax Credit “triggers” when property tax payments exceed 10% of a senior citizen’s annual income. Those who qualify will still be required to pay property taxes to their local communities; however eligible seniors will receive a dollar credit on their Massachusetts tax return for every dollar that the total of their property tax, water and sewer bills exceeding 10% of their income, up to an $870 maximum for tax year 2006.
To be eligible for the current Circuit Breaker Program citizens must be Massachusetts residents age 65 or older before January 1, 2007, own or rent a residential property, the value of the property must be less than $684,000 as of January 1, 2006, and have an annual income of $46,000 or less for a single filer; $58,000 or less for head of households; and $70,000 or less for joint filers.
In an effort to make the program more equitable, the following legislation has been filed:
House Bill No. 2996: An Act Relative to Senior Relief
This bill amends the minimum percentage of property tax, water and sewer bills paid over seniors’ income from 10% to 8% for citizens to be eligible for credit.
House Bill No.3061: An Act to Make Senior Citizen Property Tax Relief More Equitable
This bill would change the property value for eligibility from $684,000 to the median value of residential property in the town as determined by the Assessor on January 1st of each year.
House Bill No. 3062: An Act Raising the Maximum Property Value for Senior Citizen Tax Relief
This bill will increase the maximum eligible property value from $684,000 to $750,000.
Senate Bill No. 1835: An Act to Extend the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit to Disabled Persons
This bill extends eligibility to people determined to be disabled for the purposes of Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income Programs.
For more information on the Circuit Breaker, please contact Representative L’Italien’s office at (617) 722-2080.
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