Exemptions Guidelines FY24

Fiscal Year 2024

YOU MUST MEET ALL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AS OF JULY 1 OF THE TAX YEAR 

ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE INCLUDED WITH THE EXEMPTION APPLICATION OR IT WILL BE RETURNED

CLAUSE 17E      Surviving Spouse, Minor Child, Elderly Person: (Over 70)

Requirements:                   

All applicants must have owned and occupied the property on which the exemption is  

being filed for the past 5 consecutive years and must have had a domicile or legal home

in Massachusetts for 10 consecutive years.

Must have no more than $73,105.00 in assets (excluding primary residence.)***                                 

Exemption Amount:         Up to $788.10 (FY 2024)***  

CLAUSE 37A         Legally Blind Person:

Requirements:

You must own and occupy the property.

 Legal blind person who is a legal resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

You must submit a current “Certificate of Legal Blindness” from the Massachusetts

Commission for the Blind with each year’s application.

Exemption Amount:         Up to $1,000.00 a year

CLAUSE 41D          Senior Citizen:

Requirements:                    

Be 65 prior to July 1 previous to the date of filing.

The applicant must have owned and occupied the property on which the exemption is being filed for the past 5 consecutive years and must have had a domicile or legal home in Massachusetts for 10 consecutive years.

Income cannot exceed:

                                           $25,424.75 if single

                                           $29,385.48 if married

Assets cannot exceed:

                                           $54,499.25 if single

                                           $58,391.82 if married

Exemption Amount:          Up to $1,500.00 a year

CLAUSE 41A                    Tax Deferral:

Requirements:    

You must be 65 or older.

You must have had a domicile in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for at least 10 consecutive years before the tax year begins.   

You must also be domiciled in the property.

You must have owned and occupied the property, or other real property in Massachusetts, as a domicile for at least 5 years.

Must have owned and occupied the property before July 1.

Annual Gross receipts cannot exceed $20,000.00, Unless you have filed Circuit Breaker

Deferral:                                All or any part of the real estate tax.**

Limit:                                     Up to 50% of the proportionate share.           

*All exemptions are based on requirements, benefits, and filing dates that are specific to North Reading and may vary in other communities.

**           Deferred taxes will be charged an 8% interest rate until the deferment ends or the property transfers.

***         By vote of town meeting these items increase by the Cost of Living Adjustment, annually. 

VETERANS EXEMPTIONS : 

CLAUSE 22                      Disabled Veterans:

Requirements:

Veterans who were honorably discharged and have a 10% or more service connected disability with certificate

from the V.A.

Have resided in Massachusetts for at least 2 consecutive years

or were domiciled in Massachusetts for 6 months prior to induction.

Spouses and surviving spouses of veterans who qualified.

Veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart.

Exemption Amount:          Up to $800.00 (FY24)

CLAUSE 22A

Requirements:                    Permanent loss of the use of an arm, leg, or eye.

                                                Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

                                                Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

                                                Awarded the Navy Cross.

                                                Awarded the Air Force Cross.

                                           Prisoners of War (FY-20)

Exemption Amount:          Up to $1,500.00

CLAUSE 22B

Requirements:                   Permanent loss of the use of two feet, hands, or one of each, or the loss of               

                                           both eyes.

Exemption Amount:          Up to $2,500.00

CLAUSE 22C

Requirements:                   Entitled to and living in specially adapted housing.

Exemption Amount:          Up to $3,000.00

CLAUSE 22D

Requirements:                    Surviving spouses (who have never remarried) See Qualification Guide

Exemption Amount:          100%

CLAUSE 22E

Requirements:                   Veterans who suffered total disability in the line of duty. (annual certificate required)

Exemption Amount:        Up to $2,000.00                                                                

CLAUSE 22F

Requirements:                   Certified by the Veterans Administration as paraplegic.

Exemption Amount:          100%    

ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE INCLUDED WITH THE EXEMPTION APPLICATION OR

IT WILL BE RETURNED