Senior and Veteran's Property Tax Work-Off Program

The Program

The Town of Billerica offers seniors the opportunity to apply for the Senior Property Tax Work-Off Program to receive a $1,500 property tax relief benefit by helping municipal departments and schools.  The benefit is applied to property taxes when the hours are completed.  Seniors have the opportunity to volunteer 100 hours to receive a $1,500 property tax relief benefit.   Married couples may work together to complete 100 hours.  The program runs from July 1, 2023 through February 28, 2024.  

Veterans

The Town of Billerica also offers honorably discharged veterans who own and reside in a Billerica property, or their proxies, to earn the same tax credit as those in the Senior Property Tax Work-Off program.  Qualifications and benefits mirror those in the Senior Property Tax Work-Off program.

Applications

Applications for both programs will be available at the Billerica Council on Aging at 25 Concord Rd starting May 3, 2023 through August 30, 2024.  Applications can be picked up from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday.

Asset Qualification

The qualifications for participation in the Senior Property Tax Work-Off Program will remain the same as last year. Asset valuation is one of the determining factors to participate.  The Town Assessor’s office makes the determination for asset eligibility. Assets include: 

• Checking Account(s)
• Savings Account(s)
• IRA(s)
• Mutual Fund(s)
• Stocks
• Bonds
• All Registered Motor Vehicles
• Any other Real Estate owned other than current residence.

Other Requirements
The Guidelines of The Tax Work-Off Programs Are As Follows:

• Senior participants must be Billerica homeowners, age 60 or older, living in their home, with their name on the deed and no plans to sell or transfer it before February 2024.
• The property must be owned by the applicant as of July 1, 2023.
• If the property is in a trust, the applicant must be a trustee or have a life estate in the property in order to qualify for the program.
• Applicants are expected to continue in their roles after their 100 hours have been completed, if possible. 
• Work assignments are not guaranteed year to year.
• Married couples may work together to complete 100 hours. 
• Participants should plan to complete their 100 hours by February 28, 2024. 
• W-4 and CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) forms are part of the application. A copy of a picture ID is required for the CORI.
• Veterans who participate must be honorably or medically discharged and provide certification of their veteran status (DD214). 

The Senior Property Tax Work-Off Program and the Veteran’s Property Tax Work-Off Program are administered by the Council on Aging in conjunction with the Town Manager, Assessor, Treasurer, and Accounting offices.  

Additional Information and Applications

Applications will be available at the Senior Center beginning May 1, 2023.  Applications can be picked up from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m Monday through Friday.  For more information, please contact the Council on Aging at 978-671-0916.