HOMEOWNERS

You May Qualify for Important  

Property Tax Relief Programs

The following property programs are offered annually. Most applications must be filed with the Board of Assessors within 3 months after the fall tax bill is issued. For FY 2023, this will be December 31, 2022. Forms are posted on the Town website (www.lincolntown.org) each July and then removed once the deadline has passed.  For more information please contact: 

Assessor’s Office at 781-259-2611, assessor@lincolntown.org 

Council on Aging & Human Services at 781-259-8811, butta@lincolntown.org

Community Preservation Act (CPA) Tax Exemption

This is an exemption from the CPA tax for property owned and occupied as a domicile by:

•    Anyone of any age who would qualify for low income housing

•    Anyone 60 or over who would qualify for low or moderate income housing.

The application can be found at: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/11/uu/cp4-application.pdf.  The size of the exemption would be $484 for a property with an assessed value of $1,259,800 which is the median assessed value of a single-family house in Lincoln for FY2023. The low and moderate income limits are set each year by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and vary by town and family size. They can be found at https://www.communitypreservation.org/income-limits.

Click here for the Deferral and Exemption Qualification Chart

Property Tax Deferral Program 41A

This is a program which allows homeowners aged 60 and over, to be considered for a deferral of property taxes.  There are income limits that change each year, currently Single $62,000, or Married $93,000 - and each application must be approved annually by the Board of Assessors.  Please note that the annual CPA tax is not included in the deferral.  All applications must have supporting financial documentation such as tax returns, bank statements, and proof of ownership.  This documentation will remain private and will not become a public record.  Also, important to note is that the deferred taxes accrue interest at a rate of 4% per year and that the deferred taxes must be paid when the property is conveyed, or the homeowner passes away.  You may only defer taxes up to 50% of your home’s assessed value.  If you have a mortgage, the bank will need to sign off on your deferral application before the Board of Assessor’s review.  Upon approval, the homeowner must enter into a written tax deferral and recovery agreement which will then be recorded as lien at the Registry of Deeds.  There is a $105.00 filing fee associated with this recording. 

Temporary Hardship Deferral 18A

There are no age requirements for this program.  It is only applicable for 3 years and each application must be approved annually by the Board of Assessors. This is a deferral for people experiencing financial hardship and the application must be accompanied by supporting financial documentation.  This documentation will remain private and will not become a public record.  This program is intended only as a temporary aid, and deferred taxes accrue interest at a rate of 4% interest per year.  If you have a mortgage, the bank will need to sign off on your deferral application before the Board of Assessor’s review.  Upon approval, the homeowner must enter into a written tax deferral and recovery agreement which will then be recorded as lien at the Registry of Deeds.  There is a 105.00 filing fee associated with this recording.  

Property Tax Exemption Elderly 17E

This is an exemption for homeowners aged 70 and over. The current asset limit is $45,396, which does not include the domicile.  If approved, the assistance is $719 per year.  Financial documentation must accompany each application.

Property Tax Exemption Elderly 41D

This program is for homeowners aged 65 and older. The current income limit is Single $25,004 and Married $37,501, excluding some Social Security.  The asset limit is Single $50,002 and Married $68,754 excluding domicile. The assistance is $2,000 per year. Financial documentation must accompany each application.

Property Tax Exemption Blind 37A

This program is for homeowners who have documentation of legal blindness.  The assistance is $1,000 per year.

MA Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit

This is a program issued through the Commonwealth (not the Town) and is for homeowners and renters aged 65 and over. You must file a Massachusetts personal income tax return. The income limits currently are Single $62,000 and Married $93,000. Additionally, the assessed value of your property must not exceed $884,000. If you are a homeowner, your Massachusetts property tax payments, together with half of your water and sewer expense, must exceed 10% of your total Massachusetts income for the tax year. The Circuit Breaker tax credit is based on the actual real estate taxes paid on the Massachusetts property you own and occupy as your principal residence.  If you are eligible for the Circuit Breaker credit, complete schedule CB with your Massachusetts state income tax return. Note:  There is a tutorial on this program at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/senior-circuit-breaker-tax-credit.

Senior Work-Off Program

This is a program that places homeowners aged 60 and older with jobs within the Town of Lincoln in order to lessen their tax payments. Eligible residents may work in jobs for the current minimum wage up to the maximum benefit of $1,500 per year. You must be a Lincoln resident and also be the owner of the taxed property. Please note, there is often a waiting list for tax work-off programs.  To sign up, please email Terry at greent@lincolntown.org or call Abigail at 781-259-8811. For more information about this program, please click HERE.

Veteran’s Work-Off Program

The Veterans Tax Work-Off program allows veterans of any age to work for the current minimum wage up to the maximum benefit of $1,000 per year.  You must be a Lincoln resident and also be the owner of the taxed property.  To sign up, please email Terry at greent@lincolntown.org or call Abigail at 781-259-8811. For more information about this program, please click HERE.