Property Tax Relief

An exemption is a reduction in local property tax. Exemptions are available to the elderly, the legally blind, and veterans who have a service-connected disability. Additional information on each exemption is available by clicking on the respective category below.

If you would like to apply or have questions regarding eligibility criteria and documentation requirements, please contact John LaBelle or Corrie Sanders.

Please Note: A taxpayer may not receive more than one of the exemptions in a fiscal year. If you qualify for more than one, you will receive the one that provides the greatest benefit.

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 $77,857. There are no restrictions on income. The exemption amount is $354.

Clause 41C: Elderly

The applicant must be 65 years of age or older. Income minus social security allowances ($5,653 if single; $8,480 if married) must be less than $35,373 if single; $53,048 if married. Assets* cannot exceed $54,178 if single or $56,634 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 $64,000 for a single filer who is not the head of a household, $80,000 for a head of household, or $96,000 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 $61,165 if single; $85,309 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.

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 the home is held in a trust, you must provide a copy of the trust and a list of beneficiaries.

Exemptions are granted for one year only. An application must be filed each year.