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What Types of Real Estate Tax Reductions Are Available?

Various exemptions are available to reduce property tax obligations for certain qualifying taxpayers: elderly persons, blind persons, disabled veterans, surviving spouse or orphaned minor child of police officer or fire fighter, and individuals suffering extreme hardship (must also be elderly and infirm).

The qualifying date is July 1, the first day of the fiscal year for which an exemption is sought. Applications are due within three months of the mailing of the actual tax bill.

There are a number of exemptions available to qualifying taxpayers. The

following table is intended only to give a general idea of what is available.

Many things are looked at when a person applies for an exemption. Among them are income, total assets, ownership, and occupancy. Also, in certain conditions, if two or more persons, whether or not related or married, own a single parcel and each qualifies for a different exemption, each would be

entitled to receive the exemption for which he or she qualifies.

An additional qualification for most exemptions is the ownership and occupancy of the property. In most cases, the applicant must have owned and occupied real estate property in Massachusetts for five years (and owned and occupied the present property on July 1 in the year of application), and Massachusetts must have been the applicants place of domicile for the preceding ten years.

If you think you may be eligible or have any questions, call the assessors office to discuss details.