Senior Tax Deferral
The Senior tax deferral program allows seniors 65 and older to defer up to 50% of the assessed value of their home at an interest rate of 6%. The criteria to be eligible for this program:
- Household income must be $62,000 or less
- The taxpayer must be living at the property
- The taxpayer must have owned and occupied property in Massachusetts for at least 5 years,
- The taxpayer must have been a resident of Massachusetts for at least 10 consecutive years
For more information contact the assessor’s office at the Town Hall 978-369-0392
Senior Tax Worker
The Senior Tax Worker program is open to any Carlisle property owner aged 60 or older and enables senior residents to provide services to a municipal department in exchange for a property tax reduction of up to $1,500 per year. The goal of the Senior Tax Worker program is to enhance municipal services by using the skills of senior residents while also reducing the property tax burden for participating seniors. Senior Tax Workers assist the Council on Aging and Human Services, Carlisle Public Schools, the Police Department, the Library, the Town Clerk’s office, and the Board of Health. Duties include general labor, gardening, skilled project support, filing, data entry, customer service, book shelving, cafeteria help, crossing guard services, and office support.
The current program cycle runs from January 1 – December 31, 2022. To receive the maximum property tax reduction of $1,500, a senior tax worker must work 105 hours within the calendar year. Property tax reductions are calculated using state minimum wage and the number of hours worked throughout the program cycle.
If you would like to learn more about this program or apply to become a Senior Tax Worker, please contact the Council on Aging and Human Services at 978-371-2895.
Circuit Breaker Tax Credit
The Circuit Breaker Tax Credit enables eligible seniors ages 65 and over to claim a refundable credit on their state income tax by filing a Massachusetts personal income tax return along with Schedule CB. If you are a homeowner, your Massachusetts property tax plus half of your water and sewer expense must exceed 10% of your income for the tax year. If you are a renter, 25% of your annual rent must exceed 10% of your income for the tax year. Income limits are $62,000 for a single individual, $78,000 for a head of household, and $93,000 for a married couple filing jointly. The maximum credit amount for tax year 2021 is $1,170.
Community Preservation Act (CPA)
Residents ages 60 and older maybe eligible for an exemption to the Community Preservation Act property tax surcharge. Income limits are $98,140 for an individual and $112,160 for a couple