Marianne LaBarge City Councilor | Ward 6 | Northampton, MA

WARD 6

         CITY COUNCILOR

MARIANNE LABARGE
Text Box: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2022 2023 Senior and Veteran Tax Work Off Program Applications Available The Northampton Senior and Veteran Tax Work Off program is accepting applications for the next program year. The program allows income-eligible seniors and veterans to earn up to a $1,500 abatement off their property taxes in exchange for volunteering in city departments and entities.   Due to COVID-19, the City had to make adjustments in the program.  In 2020, the City offered full abatements to all eligible applicants enrolled in the program.  In 2021, the program was put on hold.  Over the last 8 years, 197 eligible seniors and veterans have participated in the program providing 15,143 hours of volunteer service to city departments.  For these volunteer services, the city provided $200,071 in property tax relief.    The Senior Citizen Tax Work Off Program is open to seniors age 60 and older who own property in and pay real estate taxes to the City of Northampton. Income limits for the 2023 program follow the Massachusetts Median Income levels. The Veteran Tax Work Off Program is open to veterans (as defined by MGL Ch 4 §7 clauses 43), regardless of income limits,  who own property in and pay real estate taxes to the City of Northampton. Participants in either program must complete 100 hours of service in the program year to receive the full $1500 tax credit.  The program is set to run from January 1, 2023, to October 31, 2023.   Interested seniors and veterans can complete an application online or pick one up in person at the Assessor’s Office, Senior Center, or Veterans Services Office. Applications for this program year will be accepted on a rolling basis or until all spaces have been filled; however, applications filed by November 30, 2022, will receive priority.    More information on the program can be found by visiting http://northamptonma.gov/1456/Senior-and-Veteran-Tax-Work-Off-Program or by contacting the Senior Center at (413) 587-1228 or Veterans Services at (413) 587-1299.   This release on the city's web page: https://northamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/20716/2023-Work-Off-Program-Press-Releasedocx   -- Office of Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra City of Northampton 210 Main Street, Room 12 Northampton MA 01060 413-587-1249 phone 413-587-1275 fax www.northamptonma.gov