Older Adult Property Tax Work-Off
Qualified homeowners can work-off up to $2,000 on their property tax bill by offering volunteer services to the City of Boston.
The FY 2025 application is now open! Before you apply, please check the program requirements below to see if you qualify. You should also make sure you have or can get the required documents.
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Have questions? Contact us:
Age Strong Commission | Joseph Goncalves, volunteer Program Director
About the Program
Qualified homeowners can work-off up to $2,000 on their property tax bill by offering volunteer services to the City of Boston.
PROJECTS OUR PTWOP VOLUNTEERS HAVE WORKED ON
- Assisted the City of Boston's Environment Department with the AC Distribution Program by reaching out to hundreds of older Bostonians to see if they needed and qualified to receive a free AC.
- Assisted the Mayor's Office of Human Health Services by covering the reception desk.
- Assisted with registration, directed traffic, gave out t-shirts, information, and other souvenirs at the yearly ADA event.
- Conducted research work for the Boston Public Library.
- Sold taxi coupons to older adults at the Veronica B. Smith Senior Center in Brighton.
- Helped school-age children with schools activities at the Leahy Holloran (BCYF)
... and more!
“This was my first time enrolling in this program. I highly recommend it to any senior who wants a tax break on their property taxes. The people at City Hall are very welcoming. They do a great job matching seniors with their work skills. Hopefully, this is a program that will continue as it benefits everyone involved.” - Barbara Wojakowski, Property Tax Work-Off Volunteer
Eligibility and Requirements
To qualify for the program, you need to meet these requirements:
Gross income limit:
$62,340 if you are single, and $71,280 if you are married. This includes:
- Social Security benefits, pensions, and other retirement benefits
- Annuities
- Wages, salaries, tips, and other compensation
- Net profit from your business or profession
- Interest and dividends
- Rent and royalty income, and
- Gains you make from the sale or exchange of real estate or other property.
If you are married, we need financial information for both you and your spouse.
Age:
You must be 60 or older by January 1, 2024.
Residency:
You need to have owned and occupied a residential property in Boston for at least three years.
Property:
You must own and occupy your property as a principal residence. If the property is subject to a trust, you must have legal title (you need to be one of the trustees and a beneficiary).
How to apply
Apply for the program
Think you meet the requirements? You'll need to download and complete the application.
You can mail or bring the application, along with your required documents, to the Age Strong Commission:
1 City Hall Square, Room 271
Boston, MA 02201
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Please keep in mind
The maximum abatement amount for this program is $2,000, which equals 133.5 volunteer hours at a rate of $15.00 per hour. The amount of the tax work-off credit cannot exceed the total tax due for the fiscal year after any other exemptions have been allowed.
Key dates
- Application Filing Deadline: August 2, 2024
- Work Completion Date*: November 8, 2024
*If we approve you for the program, you will only receive credit for work performed up to November 8, 2024, toward your Fiscal Year 2025 third-quarter tax bill.
Required documents
You MUST provide the following documents, along with your application:
- Proof of your age through a birth certificate, passport, or driver’s license.
- Federal and state tax returns. If you are not required to file tax returns, you must submit a signed and dated letter explaining why with your application.
- Social Security or pension benefits letters.
- If the property is held in a trust, we need to see a copy of the trust and a schedule of beneficiaries.
Who's Involved:
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Have questions? Contact us:
Age Strong Commission | Joseph Goncalves, volunteer Program Director
