In combination with the state legislature, Harvard offers a variety of programs to help seniors cope with the rising cost of living, including strategies to help with tax bills, heating costs, and transfer station stickers.
Harvard assessor Angela Marrama explained the tax programs available to seniors in an interview Tuesday, February 13. Marrama urged anyone interested in any of the tax abatement programs to call her at her office to talk about their qualifications. In addition to being available on the phone, she said, she is also willing to come to anyone’s home to explain the available options. Applications for all the programs, with the exception of the senior work-off program, are available at Town Hall.
As the town assessor, Marrama administers all the property tax programs and can be reached Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first floor of Town Hall. “If someone even thinks that they might qualify, they should inquire,” she urged.
Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund
Harvard established the elderly and disabled taxation fund five years ago to provide property tax relief to the elderly and disabled, said Chairman of the Board of Assessors Rick Maiore. ”No tax dollars are involved in this program,” he pointed out, noting that it is funded only through donations. This program is the one that can have the most positive impact for residents, Maiore said, and noted that in some cases the fund has been able to pay 100 percent of some applicants’ property taxes. “We know it lets some people stay here in Harvard,” he said. Applicants must be town residents and either age 65 or older and/or have a disability. Currently, all applicants must have an income of less than $35,000 (if single) or $45,000 (if married) per year. All applications are evaluated by the Tax Aid Committee on a case-by-case basis, and assets and extraordinary circumstances are considered in determing eligibility. There is no set amount granted: each application is evaluated independently. Applications for this program can be downloaded online through the town website, Maiore said, adding “We’ve been able to help 90 percent of the people who’ve applied.”
Senior Work-Off Program
The senior work-off program was created by the state, and has been in operation in Harvard for the last four years, according to COA Director Ginger Quarles. This program allows seniors age 60 and older the opportunity to work in exchange for up to $750 off the total property tax bill. Participants must be the owners of their home, and may contribute up to 100 hours of work for the town at a compensated rate of $7.50 an hour. Jobs are assigned through the Council on Aging, where hours are also tabulated. Examples of jobs include working at Town Hall to help tabulate the census, watering the elm trees in town, and helping in the school libraries. Applications are available only from the Council on Aging office in Hildreth House.
Exemption Clause 41A
Qualified seniors 65 years and older are permitted to delay payment of property taxes up to the whole amount of the tax bill under Clause 41A of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. The deferred tax, plus a rate of 2 percent interest, is then collected upon the death of the taxpayer or the sale of the home. Applicants need to apply for the program by April 2, and must satisfy requirements relating to age, domicile, ownership, occupancy, and gross income, as listed on the application. If approved for the program, recipients enter into a lien with the community assessors for the future payment of property taxes. Surviving spouses or tenants in common must apply for a new tax deferral and recovery agreement after the death of the initial applicant.
Exemption Clause 41C
Under the provisions of Exemption Clause 41C, applicants may receive a $1,000 deduction from their tax bill by satisfying eligibility requirements with regard to age, income, assets, and residency in Massachusetts. People 65 years or older, who have owned property in Massachusetts for the last five years and lived in the state for the last ten years, and have an income of less than $25,059 (if single) or $37,590 (if married), as well as assets less than $45,699 (single applicants) or $62,785 (married applicants), are eligible for this program. Interested applicants must show a birth certificate, evidence of domicile and occupancy, and income tax returns.
Exemption Clause 17D
A property tax deduction of $201.73 is available to qualified persons 70 years of age or older under Exemption Clause 17D. Program requirements dictate that applicants must have been in their home for the last five years, and have combined assets of not more than $47,634 (not including the home itself). Applicants must provide a birth certificate, evidence of domicile and occupancy, and income tax returns.
HEAT Program
The Harvard Energy Assistance Team has funds available to help qualified applicants of any age with winter heating costs. Funded through contributions made by townspeople, grants are made on an individual basis; and payments are made directly to a utility company on the client’s behalf. The application process is entirely confidential, said COA Director Ginger Quarles, and application forms are available at both Town Hall and the COA office in Hildreth House.
Transfer Station Sticker Price Reduction
Seniors age 65 years and older are eligible to purchase a transfer station sticker for $25, a savings of $200 from the regular price. Stickers can be bought directly through the town website, or an application can be downloaded from the website and mailed to Town Hall with a check.
Whatever can be done to alleviate the financial burden of some of Harvard’s oldest citizens benefits the whole town, Maiore said. “These people have been contributors in the past, and this is one way we can repay them,” he said. “A lot of these people have lived here all their lives. [Keeping them in Harvard] gives us a sense of community that has roots and depth.”
