2022 Senior and Veteran Tax Work-Off Program Applications Available
NORTHAMPTON - 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 to 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. Since the program’s inception in 2014, the city has provided a total of $200,071 in property tax relief to 197 eligible seniors and veterans and benefited from a total of 15,143 hours of volunteer service.
The Senior 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 2022 program follow the Massachusetts Median Income levels. The Veteran Tax Work-Off Program is open to veterans, (as defined by MGL Ch. 4 §7 clause 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 105.26 hours of service in the program year to receive the full $1,500 tax credit. The program is set to run from January 1, 2022, to October 31, 2022.
Interested seniors and veterans can complete an application online or pick one up in person at the Assessor’s Office, City Hall, 210 Main Street; the Senior Center, 67 Conz Street; or the Veterans Services Office, Memorial Hall, 240 Main Street. Applications for this program year will be accepted on a rolling basis, or until all spaces have been filled. However, applications filed by December 17, 2021, 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.
