The Clause 41D exemption provides assistance to elderly taxpayers that meet the age,
income, whole estate and residency requirements. An exemption is a release from the
obligation to pay all or a portion of the taxes assessed on a parcel of property.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?
Applicant must have reached the age of 65 as of July 1 of the tax year.
Applicant must have owned and occupied the property as of July 1 of the tax year.
Applicant must have owned and occupied any real property in Massachusetts at least 5
years or the surviving spouse who has inherited the property must have occupied it for at
least 5 years.
Applicant must have resided in Massachusetts for the past 10 years.
Applicant’s gross income may not exceed:
$21,503 if single, or
$32,255 if married.
Applicant’s whole estate (i.e. second home, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, boat),
excluding the value of the home, is not to exceed:
$43,006 if single, or
$59,134 if married.
Taxpayers who are eligible for Clause 41D will receive a $750 reduction in their tax
liability.
An optional cost of living adjustment was approved by the state and adopted by the Town
of Wellesley in 2003. Adjustments will be made yearly to both the gross income and
asset limits according to COLA, as determined by the Massachusetts Department of
Revenue. The COLA adjustment for fiscal year 2005 is 3.80%.
Applications must be filed annually with the Board of Assessors within three months of
the mailing of the Third Quarter Tax Bill (December).
If you were granted an exemption last year the Board of Assessors will send you a
renewal application. However, it is your responsibility to ensure that a renewal is filed
each year.
As a reminder, the filing of an application does not mean you can postpone the payment
of your taxes.
If you have any questions, please call the Assessor’s Office at (781) 431-1019 ext. 2275.
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