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Property Tax Relief
An exemption is a partial or full reduction of local property tax. Exemptions are governed by the State of Massachusetts and are a privilege, not a right.
Exemptions are available for persons over 65, persons over 70: those who are legally blind: and veterans who have a service-connected disability. In order to qualify the applicant must provide documentation concerning the percentage of war service disability, certificate of blindness, or income, and assets.
The qualification date for each exemption is July 1. Applications are required annually and shall be submitted on or around July but have a deadline for return date no later than April 1st. If accepted the exemption will reduce the total tax dollars due. The exemption will not appear separately on the tax bill.
When applying, new applicants must provide a birth certificate. If home is held in a trust, you must provide a copy of the trust and list of beneficiaries.
Exemptions are granted for 1 year only. An application must be filed each year.
Please Note: A taxpayer may not receive more than one of the exemptions. If, however, taxpayers qualify for more than 1 of these exemptions, the assessors will encourage them to apply for and receive the exemption that saves them the most money.
Additional information on each exemption is available below. If you have additional questions regarding eligibility criteria and documentation requirements, please contact the Assessor’s Office at 978-777-0001 ext. 3057 or email Pamela Zimmerman or email Corrie Sanders or call her at 978-777-0001 ext. 3058.
Clause 22: Veterans
The applicant must have a service connected disability of 10% or greater. Exemption amounts range from $400 and up to $800 for a 10% disability to full exemption for paraplegics.
Clause 22E: Veterans
The applicant must have a service connected disability. Veterans (including spouse or surviving spouse) 100% disability in the line of duty (Annual Certificate from VA required) and who are unable to work. The exemption amount is $1,000 and up to $2,000
Clause 37A: Blind
Blindness must be in accordance with specifications of the Commission for the Blind. The exemption amount is $500 and up to $1,000.
Eligibility requirements as to age, ownership, income, assets*, etc. must be verified before participation in the program will be approved or any exemption will be granted. Certain documentation will be required as part of the application process. An instruction sheet will be provided with each application.
Clause 17D: Surviving Spouse, Minor or Elderly
The applicant must be a widow/widower, a minor whose parent is deceased or be 70 years of age or older. The total value of the applicant's assets* cannot exceed $73,105. There are no restrictions on income. The exemption amount is $322.
Clause 41C: Elderly
The applicant must be 65 years of age or older. Income minus social security allowances ($5,201 if single; $7,802 if married) must be less than $33,214 if single; $49,810 if married. Assets* cannot exceed $50,871 if single or $53,177 if married. The exemption amount is $1,000 and up to $2,000.
Clause 41A: Tax Deferral
The applicant must be 65 years of age or older. There are no restrictions on assets*. The taxpayer's "total income" cannot exceed $62,000 for a single filer who is not the head of a household, $78,000 for a head of household, or $93,000 for taxpayers filing jointly; All or a portion of the real estate taxes can be deferred each year at 6% interest. This is considered a lien on the property and must be paid to the town of Danvers, upon the sale of the property or death of the taxpayer. An applicant may qualify for other exemption programs listed herein in addition to the tax deferral program. When filing for the Tax Deferral, you may also Defer your Water and Sewer bill. Separate applications are needed.
Senior Citizen Work / Off Abatement Program
The applicant must be 60 years of age or older. Income cannot exceed $57,432 if single; $80,102 if married. There are no restrictions on assets*. The applicant can earn a minimum abatement of $500 after (35 hours worked) or UP to the maximum abatement of $1,500 after (105 hours worked). Participant schedule begins on a fiscal year for volunteering their services to the Town of Danvers. Varied volunteer jobs will be available. The hourly rate earned toward the abatement, will be the State minimum wage. At Town Meeting, May, 2019, the Town voted to amend the Senior Citizen Tax Work-Off Program, adopted under M.G.L. C. 59, § 5K,
Please Note: You are not required to work the 105 hours, but you have the option for the higher Exemption of the maximum given of $1,500.
(*) Note: Assets include savings, Certificates of Deposit, IRA's, 401k's, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, property owned such as vehicles, second homes, etc. Assets do not include the value of your home.
Income includes all sources of monies earned (i.e., pension, annuity distribution, dividends, wages and tips, social security, alimony, rent, taxable interest, lottery winnings etc.
Clause 18A: Temporary Financial Hardship Property Tax Deferral
This temporary hardship deferral operates similarly to the Clause 41A deferral except that the taxpayer may be of any age. The financial hardship may be due to any number of reasons including a change to active military status. Clause 18A deferral can be granted for a maximum period of three consecutive years. At the end of that period, the deferred taxes must be paid.
Clause 18: Hardship
Any taxpayer who cannot meet his or her real estate tax obligation due to Age, Infirmity, and Poverty may apply for this exemption. To qualify, the applicant must present evidence to the Board of Assessors that corroborates their inability to pay the assessed tax as well as documentation on their infirmity and age. This exemption is granted at the Board of Assessors discretion and cannot be appealed.
Elderly & Disabled Taxation Fund
For those who do not qualify for the statutory exemptions and are over the age of 62 or have a disability, you may qualify for aid under this program. Contact our office for more information.
For more information regarding eligibility criteria and documentation requirements, please contact the Assessor’s Office at 978-777-0001 ext. 3057 or email Pamela Zimmerman or email Corrie Sanders or call her at 978-777-0001 ext. 3058.