By Janet Stoica

Some local towns are generous to their senior citizens, those who are blind, those who are disabled veterans, surviving spouses and those who are considered extreme hardship individuals and some towns are not so generous. Tax savings are available for those who are part of these categories. The following is a listing of real estate tax savings for those who qualify for benefits based on their income levels and status. The information is taken from each town’s website or as otherwise stated.

Dudley: A variety of exemptions are available to reduce property tax obligations for certain qualifying taxpayers: elderly persons, blind persons, disabled veterans, surviving spouses and extreme hardships. The qualifying date is July 1. Applications are due within 90 days of the date the final tax bills are mailed. Each exemption must meet certain requirements such as income and assets. Specifics for senior citizens are that you must be age 70 with an income limit of $38,480 if married and assets of no more than $55,000; if single, your income limit is $25,653 with assets of no more than $40,000. You must have lived in your owner-occupied residence for a minimum of 5 years. Exemption: $500. Required documents: birth certificate and account statements. If you are a widow there are no age or income limitations but there is a $40,000 asset limit along with a 5-year residency requirement. Exemption: $175. Required doc: spouse death certificate. Veterans and Disabled Veterans have no age limits, income limits or asset limits but you must have been living in Massachusetts for 6 months before entering service or must have lived in Massachusetts for 5 years before discharge. Veteran 22 exemption is $400 and Veteran 22E-100% is $1,000. Required docs: Discharge paperwork (DD214) and VA letter with % disabled. For those who are blind, 37-A, there are no age, income, or asset limitations but you must occupy the property as of July 1. Exemption is $500 and a Certificate of Blindness is required. All above information may be updated and inquired upon by contacting the Assessor’s Office at (508) 949-8006.

Charlton: The town website states that “there are various exemptions to their tax relief program for senior citizens aged 70, surviving spouses or minors, veterans, veterans’ surviving spouses or parent, or those who are blind.  You may be eligible for all or a portion of taxes assessed on your domicile if you meet the qualifications for one of the exemptions allowed under Massachusetts law. Qualifications vary but generally relate to age, ownership, residency, disability, income, or assets. You may file an application if you meet the qualifications for an exemption as of July 1. Your application must be filed with the Assessor’s office on or before April 1, or 3 months after the actual bills were mailed for the fiscal year, whichever is later.” Qualifications for elderly are age 70, single, with maximum income of $13,000 and maximum assets of $28,000. Exemption: $500. Elderly aged 70, married with maximum income of $15,000 and max assets of $30,000. Exemption: $500. Surviving spouse or widow with max assets of $60,000. Exemption: $175. For Veterans there are 5 classifications with exemptions ranging from $400 to 100%. Legally blind category has no income or asset qualifications with an exemption of $500. For extreme hardship qualifications exemptions vary. In-Law exemption qualifications for housing improvements for a person over age 60 vary up to $500. The Council on Aging also offers an Elderly Tax Write-off Abatement Program which is based on income guidelines where elderly residents may qualify for up to a $2,000/year exemption. According to Julia Korch, Outreach Coordinator, there were 20 openings for those wishing to assist in town offices and departments and as of the date of this writing, June 20, there were only 3 openings left. You may contact the Council on Aging for more information. (508) 248-2231.  Please note:  All guidelines listed are subject to change and the most up-to-date information may be learned by phoning the Assessor’s Office at the Town Hall. Their phone number is: (508) 248-2233.

Webster: According to Marc Becker of the Assessor’s Office, “real estate tax relief is based on income and assets of the individual applying for tax relief. For senior citizens over the age of 70 with income of less than $18,000 you may qualify for an exemption based on your additional assets.” The town’s website lists qualifiers as those who are seniors, who are blind, who are disabled veterans, or a minor child of a deceased parent but there are no charts listing exemption amounts for each category. Please contact the Assessor’s Office to ask about the current categories and exemption guidelines. They can be reached by calling (508) 949-3800, Ext. 4009.