Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Chief of Staff Bill Baker, Health & Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton Harris, Elder Affairs Director Roy Goodman, Chairman of the Board of Assessors Attorney Patrick Greenhalgh, and Tax Program Assistant Jose Hernandez joined on Thursday at the Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center on Roosevelt Avenue to announce the opening of applications for the city’s Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Program for Homeowners. The announcement was followed by an information session for residents to learn about this Senior Tax Work-off Pilot Program, including eligibility criteria, and how to apply for the program.
Applications for the program will be available beginning Monday, February 10, 2025. The applications will be available on the city website (https://www.springfield-ma.gov/hhs/elderaffairs to print, and hard copies will be available at all the city’s neighborhood Senior Centers (https://www.springfield-ma.gov/hhs/seniorcenters). All completed applications must be turned in to the Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center, 1476 Roosevelt Ave, Springfield, MA 01109. Applications are due by Monday, March 31, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
The work period for the program is July 1, 2025 to October 1, 2025. Eligible seniors will be chosen by lottery to work 67 hours in exchange for a $1000 property credit.
Mayor Sarno states, “We all benefit when our seniors are involved in our community. This Program will help to assist senior citizen homeowners with the payment of their residential property tax bills, increasing senior citizen involvement and participation in city government and the school district, and acknowledge the abilities and skills of our senior citizens in the community.
Not only will our beloved seniors’ participation in this Tax Work-Off Program provide much-needed tax relief for our older residents on their property tax bills, the program will also help our city departments.”
“I appreciate our city team coming together to get this program up and running, and for the support for this program from our City Councilors. Thank you to HHS Commissioner Helen Caulton Harris, Elder Affairs Director Roy Goodman, Tax Program Assistant Jose Hernandez, and team for their ongoing work to provide quality programs and services for our seniors not only at our flagship senior center, the Raymond Jordan Senior Center, but also at our neighborhood senior centers too. I also want to commend my Board of Assessors – Patrick Greenhalgh, Jessica Guerra, and Margaret ‘Pedge’ Lynch, and their staff for their efforts and the excellent job they do working with and getting back to our residents and businesses that reach out for help.”
Mayor Sarno continued, “I am proud of my administration’s efforts in providing much-needed tax relief for our residents. Between this targeted tax relief initiative, the tax relief for our Veterans as part of the local option of the HERO Act that was announced with City Councilor Kateri Walsh and Veterans' ServicesDirector Joe DeCaro, and all of the existing tax relief programs, there are now multiple means for homeowners to seek tax relief.”
Mayor Sarno and Assessor Greenhalgh would like to remind the public that homeowners may be eligible for property tax relief based on their personal circumstances. Especially for seniors, as Mayor Sarno and the City Council approved additional monetary relief by modifying the limits on the State Clause 41C statute for tax abatements for seniors. The eligibility age has been reduced to 65 from 70, and the abatement amount increased to $1,000 from $500.
Visit the Assessor's webpage: https://www.springfield-ma.gov/finance/assessors
Additionally, seniors can file for the Massachusetts Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit for Owners and Renters. The maximum amount of this credit has recently doubled. The Mass Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit is available for seniors age 65 or older, who meet certain income guidelines. For more information, please visit the Massachusetts Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit website at: http://www.mass.gov/.../massachusetts-senior-circuit...
