By Bob Katzen
Yet another bill that was heard by the Revenue Committee was one that supporters say would ensure that seniors are allowed to take the Seniors Circuit Breaker Discount even if they take advantage of a senior property tax deferral.
The Seniors Circuit Breaker Discount can be taken by seniors with homes valued at less than $1,298,000 and who earn $75,000 or less for a single individual who is not the head of a household; 94,000 for a head of household; and $112,000 for married couples filing a joint return. To qualify as a homeowner, your property tax payments, together with half of your water and sewer expense, must exceed 10 percent of your total Massachusetts income for the tax year. If you are a renter, 25 percent of your annual Massachusetts rent must exceed 10 percent of your total Massachusetts income for the tax year.
“Seniors on a fixed income are struggling to pay for food, electricity, gas and property taxes,” said sponsor Rep. Kristin Kassner (D-Hamilton). “After passing home rule petitions in two of our towns to expand access to senior property tax deferral, we learned that if seniors take the deferral, they no longer qualify for the Senior Circuit Breaker discount on their state taxes. This bill would allow income-qualifying seniors to defer property taxes (with the taxes paid in full with interest upon the sale of their home) and still qualify for the Senior Circuit Breaker.