Amendment ID: S2124-24

Amendment 24

Local Option for Additional Tax Relief

Ms. L'Italien moves to amend the bill by inserting the following new Section:-

SECTION X.  Section 5 of Chapter 59 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting the following new clause:-

"Sixty first.  Real property, up to 50% of the taxable valuation of that property, whether owned separately or jointly or as a tenant in common by a person who has attained the age of 65 and is a legal resident of the commonwealth and has so owned and occupied as his domicile such real property for ten years; provided that such property:

1) has been assessed a property tax amount that exceeds 10% of the resident's annual income

2) has a maximum assessed value of the home that is not greater than the average assessed value of a single family residence for the city or town plus 10%

A person who seeks to qualify for an exemption under this section shall file with the board of assessors an application for abatement on a form to be adopted by the board of selectmen and available at the assessors’ office with the supporting documentation as described in the application. The application shall be filed by February 28 of each year for which the applicant seeks the exemption for the fiscal year commencing the following July 1

This clause shall take effect upon affirmative vote by the legislative body of a city or town.