HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-TDES-rpt RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
2019 TAX DEFERRAL AND EXEMPTION STUDY COMMITTEE LEXINGTON MA
ROLE: The Tax Deferral and Exemption Committee is charged to review and
recommend to the Board of Selectmen options for the deferral or exemption of local
property taxes under existing state law, or by home rule petition for a special act of the
state legislature, that might enhance or make accessible the property tax relief currently
available to elderly, low-income, disabled or otherwise deserving residents.
APPOINTED by the Board of Selectmen: Co-Chairs Vicki Blier and Patricia Costello,
Richard Bair, Jane Current, Pam Joshi. Board Liaison, Joe Pato. Appropriations
Committee Liaison, John Bartenstein. Staff Liaison, Carolyn Kosnoff.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Created an insert promoting Lexington's Senior Property Tax Deferral program
which was included with first quarter real estate tax bills
• The committee continues to do research and to participate in discussions with
Town officials to maintain eligibility standards for the Town's deferral program
that are both fiscally prudent and beneficial to deserving property owners. A
Selectman's motion to raise the eligibility standard to households with incomes of
up to $75,000 was approved by the Spring 2019 Town Meeting for the FY2020
property tax year.
• Provided research and input to the Residential Exemption Policy Study
Committee, which is considering the exemption for Lexington property owners
• Assisted the Assessor's Office in updating the Property Tax Relief Programs
brochure with current information on the Massachusetts Circuit Breaker tax credit
and the Federal Reserve interest rate to be used for deferrals. Also assisted in
revising the cover letter for property tax deferral applications to clarify the change
in the interest rate if ownership changes.
• Joined with the Property Tax Relief Committee of the Massachusetts Council on
Aging (MCOA) to follow property tax exemptions and deferral legislation and
programs offered by other communities. Presented the MCOA appeal for more
fair tax deferral legislation at Support Aging in Massachusetts Lobby Day at the
Massachusetts State House on March 11.
• Met with the Lexington Council on Aging Board to present current senior tax
deferral and exemption programs that help to keep seniors in their homes and to
ask the board for help in communicating these programs.