Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
A law signed in May aimed at supporting Massachusetts veterans and their families includes a new local option (M.G.L. Ch. 59, Sec. 5N) allowing cities and towns to create a work-off tax abatement program for veterans.
The program works the same way as one that many communities have established for seniors. It allows veterans to earn abatements on their property taxes by working for the community.
Each community sets its own program and eligibility requirements, but the taxpayer’s hourly earnings may not exceed the state minimum wage and the earned abatement may not exceed $1,000 – or, if voted by the local legislative body, 125 hours of service.
A vote of the municipality’s legislative body is required for acceptance of the provision in the new law.
Communities that have accepted this local option and would be willing to share program and eligibility requirements, as well as those who are looking to see examples, are asked to contact MMA Legislative Analyst Katie McCue at kmccue@mma.org.