Qualifying seniors, persons facing extreme hardship, persons with certain disabilities, Disabled Veterans, Widows and minors with deceased parents may apply for additional exemptions. e City allows up to double the allowed amount for statutory exemptions, mean- ing, for example, that homeowners age 65 or older may qualify for a tax exemption of up to $2,000 rather than the state designated $1,000, depending upon how much their tax bill increased from the previous year. 

Senior Work-o 

Senior Work-o : All seniors over the age of 60 may also opt to work o up to $1,000 of their tax bill by sharing their skills with City o ces. We’ll work to nd you a task that matches your interests and abili- ties. Please contact the Council on Aging for details. 

Hardship: Taxpayers may have their taxes reduced due to age, in rmity, and income (all three condi- tions must be met). For more information or if you believe you qualify for this exemption, contact the Assessor’s O ce. 

** Tax Deferral for Seniors: Qualifying seniors ages 65 and over may opt to defer up to 100% of their tax payments. For FY18, the City is decreasing the interest rate from 4% to 3%. 

** Temporary Tax Deferral for non-seniors: 

Taxpayers with a demonstrated inability to pay may defer up to 100% of their tax payments for up to three consecutive years. e City is lowering the interest rate from 8% to 3% to FY18. 

** Tax Deferral on property tax and auto excise for National Guard members and reservists:
In FY16, deferrals were approved for National Guard members and reservists on active duty while serving and for the next 180 days after that service. 

Community Preservation Act (CPA) exemptions: Full exemptions from the CPA sur- charge are available to seniors with an income at or below $54,950 and for low-income taxpayers under age 60 with an income at or below $68,650. Income limits are adjusted based upon household size and there is a deduction allowance for dependents and medical expenses. To learn more about exemptions, your eligibility and deadlines for application, please contact the Assessing Department. 

** Unlike an exemption, a tax deferral simply al- lows you to postpone payment of your taxes. If you qualify, you must enter into a tax deferral agreement that requires the deferred taxes along with inter-
est to be paid in full (1) when the property is sold
or transferred, (2) upon your death, or (3) upon the death of your surviving spouse if he or she quali-
es for a deferral and enters into a new tax deferral agreement. Anyone having any legal interest in the property must also approve the tax deferral agree- ment (ie. mortgage holder, other owners, etc.). 

Once you have entered into a tax deferral agreement, a statement will be recorded at the Registry of Deeds which places a lien on your property to ensure pay- ment and collection of your taxes. Once the deferred taxes are repaid, the lien is released. 

Where can I get more information? You can contact the Assessor’s O ce at 617-625-6600 ext. 3100, or visit www. somervillema.gov/Assessing, and click the link for “Exemptions for Seniors and Others.” A “Meet the Assessor” video is also available at the Council on Aging website, http://www.somervillema.gov/COA.