Senior & Veterans’ Property Tax Work-Off Abatement

This program allows Seniors and Veterans who meet the requirements to work and earn money to be used to pay their real estate taxes each year. For a Senior to qualify for this program, they must be 60 years or over and own and reside at the property for which they would like the abatement for at least one year. The maximum amount Senior taxpayers may earn is $1,500 per year.

For a Veteran to qualify, there is no age requirement, and they need to own and reside at the property for which they would like the abatement for at least one year. Eligibility will be determined by the Veterans' Agent. A spouse of a veteran, in the case where the veteran is deceased or has a service-connected disability, can volunteer to provide services for that veteran. The maximum amount a Veteran taxpayer may earn is $1,500 per year.

The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has ruled that under current federal law, the amount earned in this program is included in your income for both federal income tax and Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) but is not considered income or wages for the purposes of state income tax withholding, unemployment compensation or workers' compensation. The IRS requires that its procedures comply with all applicable federal laws regarding income, Social Security, and Medicare tax withholding on monies earned under this program. A tax advisor should be consulted as to federal and state reporting requirements.

All participants in this program are asked to contact the Upton Center during regular business hours to set up some time to fill out the necessary paperwork to comply with this program. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Council on Aging Director at 508-529-4558.