Press Room

An Act relative to senior property tax deferral expands eligibility for the Senior Tax Deferral program in order to keep more money in the pockets of Massachusetts seniors at a time when property values, and therefore local property tax bills, are continuing to climb.

The details of the legislation are below.

Expands Program Eligibility. Unlocks the Senior Tax Deferral program as a financial tool for more Massachusetts senior residents by lowering the residency threshold. Under the bill, eligible seniors must have lived in the state for seven years, instead of the current ten-year requirement.

Gives Time to Grieving Families. Allows heirs more time to plan for and pay the deferred property taxes by delaying an increase in the interest rate for deferred taxes until one year after the taxpayer’s death, and delaying the date on which a foreclosure petition may be filed until 18 months after the taxpayer’s death.