EASTHAMPTON — As the city nears setting its tax rate for the new fiscal year, Principal Assessor Randall “Randy” Austin is reminding residents of the personal exemptions to local property taxes that might be available for those that qualify.
In a presentation regarding tax classification to the City Council on Wednesday night, Austin noted that the city issues personal tax exemptions to reduce all or a portion of the taxes assessed on residential property. Those that may be eligible include those that are legally blind; a veteran with a service-connected disability; a surviving spouse; a surviving spouse of a service member, National Guard member or veteran who perished from combat, active duty injury or illness; a minor of a deceased parent; or a surviving spouse of a senior over 65 years old.
“I’m very big on that awareness and I want people to know,” he said. “I plan on doing some community outreach in the near future.”
In fiscal year 2018, the city issued personal exemptions for 15 that were legally blind, 60 seniors, 23 surviving spouses/minors/over 65 and 126 disabled veterans. For fiscal year 2021, the city has issued personal exemptions for 12 people who were legally blind, 55 seniors, 23 surviving spouses/minors/over 65 and 134 disabled veterans.
Eligibility begins on July 1.
The City Council also discussed tax classifications and the impact a change would have on the city. Council Vice President and District 5 Councilor Daniel D. Rist said that in his 25 years on the council, the classifications have remained the same.
“There was talk of splitting the tax rate — if we were to split the tax rate in order to help the residential property owners, it would require a 50% increase in the rate given to businesses in order to make a dent in the property taxes,” Rist said. “…And as far as I’m concerned, that would drive businesses out of town.”
Rist added that the city has always been very “business-friendly” and because Easthampton is not a “big city,” it’s unnecessary.
Austin agreed, adding that shifting the tax burden does not increase revenue, it merely shifts the same burden to other taxpayers, and recommended that there ought to be a larger commercial base before considering a split rate.
In a unanimous vote, the council voted in favor of the Board of Assessors’ recommendation to continue with a single tax rate for all classes of property; no open space discount — as there are no properties in the city that are classified in this manner; no residential exemption; and no small commercial exemption.
The Board of Assessors will hold a tax rate hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. via Zoom.
Emily Thurlow can be reached at ethurlow@gazettenet.com
