NORTHAMPTON — Veterans and income-eligible seniors can earn up to a $1,500 property tax abatement when the city’s Tax Work-Off Program returns next year.
Applications are now available to veterans, regardless of income, and seniors age 60 and older who own property and pay real estate taxes to the city.
Participants will earn the tax abatements by working with city departments and agencies. The positions pay $14.25 worth of abatement per hour and offer a maximum of 105.26 hours, which must be worked between Jan. 1 and Oct. 1, 2022.
The abatement is applied to property taxes in the next fiscal year, not the current one.
“Due to COVID-19, the city had to make adjustments to the program. In 2020, the city offered full abatements to all eligible applicants enrolled in the program,” according to a statement released by the office of Mayor David Narkewicz. “In 2021, the program was put on hold.”
Since the program started in 2014, the city said it has provided $200,071 in property tax abatements to 197 seniors and veterans, who performed 15,143 hours of community service.
Easthampton and Amherst also offer $1,500 abatements through their work-off programs, and the town of Hadley announced last month that it would double its abatement from $500 to $1,000. Money earned through the Tax Work-Off Program is reportable income for federal taxes only.
To participate, Northampton seniors must earn less than $57,190 in gross annual income for a one-person household, and $65,560 for a two-person household. More information about the income limits is available on the city’s website.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis or until all spaces have been filled, but applications received by Dec. 17 will receive priority.
For more information, call the Senior Center at (413) 587-1228 or Veterans Services at (413) 587-1299. Complete eligibility requirements are available online at https://northamptonma.gov/2066/Senior-Tax-Work-Off-Program.
Applications are available online or at the Assessor’s Office, City Hall, 210 Main St.; the Senior Center, 67 Conz St.; or the Veterans Services Office, Memorial Hall, 240 Main St.
Brian Steele can be reached at bsteele@gazettenet.com.