Tarr Hosts Local Senior Tax Relief Seminars – Tuesday, March 4th, 9:30am-10:30am in Newburyport
February 25, 2025Press Release
February 25, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jessica Margiotta, Director of Communications, Office of Senator Tarr | Cell: 978-675-6109 | jessica.margiotta@masenate.gov
Tarr Hosts Local Senior Tax Relief Seminars
Seminars Focus on the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit and Other Tax Relief Topics
Boston (02/25/25) – Starting next week, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) is hosting a series of local tax seminars for seniors once again partnering with the Department of Revenue’s (DOR) Tax Auditor Brian Lynch on facilitating a series focused on helping seniors take advantage of increased benefits and on alleviating tax burden.
“Our seniors are struggling with the high cost of living in Massachusetts, especially with the ongoing impacts of inflation year after year,” said Tarr. “We must not only create relief measures, but also ensure they have the support needed to access them.”
“Thanks to the bipartisan efforts on Beacon Hill, these tax cuts offer increased financial security for older Massachusetts residents and their families. These provisions help people age with dignity in their own homes and communities, where they prefer to be, surrounded by family and friends,” said Jen Benson, AARP Massachusetts State Director.
Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Relief Seminars
The Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Relief program is specifically designed to provide significant financial relief for senior citizens who are 65 years or older by December 31 of the tax year. The Senior Circuit Breaker tax credit is a refundable credit available on the Massachusetts personal income tax return, based on actual real estate taxes either paid directly or through rent for the principal residence.
As of the tax year 2024, eligible seniors can claim a maximum credit amount of $2,730. Notably, if the credit owed exceeds a senior’s total tax payable for the year, the taxpayer will be refunded the additional amount of the credit without interest.
“By focusing on tax relief for seniors, we aim to alleviate the financial burden associated with property taxes and ensure that our seniors, many of whom are on a fixed income, can stay in their homes, as they continue to navigate the rising cost of living in Massachusetts,” said Tarr.
“Mr. Lynch has worked with us for several years and has been quite informative as he describes in detail this senior tax credit,” said Mary Ann Nay, Senior District Director for Tarr, who has been coordinating these seminars locally. “His discussion will include eligibility and qualifying criteria, how to calculate one’s circuit breaker tax credit amount, and how to file and receive the refundable credit through the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.”
These sessions are taking place at local Councils on Aging across the region on Tuesday, March 4th and Thursday, March 6th in the following communities: Georgetown, Gloucester, Ipswich, Newburyport, North Reading, and Wenham.
Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Relief Cost Saving Seminar Schedule:
Tuesday, March 4th, 2024:
– Newburyport: 9:30am-10:30am @ 331 High Street, Newburyport, MA | (978) 462-0430
– Ipswich: 11:30am-12:30pm @ 25 Green Street, Ipswich, MA | (978) 356-6650
– Georgetown: 1:00pm-2:00pm @ 51 North Street, Georgetown, MA | (978) 352-5726
Thursday, March 6th, 2024:
– Gloucester: 9:30am-10:30am @ 6 Manuel F. Lewis Street, Gloucester, MA | (978) 281-9765
– Wenham: 11:30am-12:30pm @ 10 School Street, Wenham, MA | (978) 468-5529
– North Reading: 1:00pm-2:00pm @ Aldersgate Church, 235 Park Street, North Reading, MA | (978) 664-5600
Tarr’s Legislative Efforts to Ensure Tax Relief for Seniors
Tarr’s been a lifelong champion of fighting to ensure that tax relief options are available for seniors in Massachusetts.
Some of his more recent legislative efforts include:
The Senior Citizen Tax Work-Off Program, available to individuals aged 60 or older, provides eligible participants with a chance to contribute to their community while receiving property tax relief by allowing municipalities establish and approve program requirements and allowing qualified homeowners reduce their property tax bill by volunteering for community service.
Tarr Amendment Passed Helping Seniors: Increased the tax credit for eligible seniors by allowing a municipality to increase the limit from $1,500 to $2,000 within the Senior Citizen Tax Work-Off Program.
An Act to Improve the Commonwealth’s Competitiveness, Affordability, and Equity bill, that passed last year, which included approximately $1 billion in tax cuts and doubled the Senior Circuit Breaker tax credit, with savings for seniors, businesses, families, and renters.
Tarr Amendment Passed Helping Seniors: Aside from Tarr relentlessly championing passage of this legislation, he increased the allowable Senior Citizen Tax Work-Off Program tax credit by an additional $500, taking it from $1,500 to $2,000.
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Additional Resources:
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2023/Chapter50
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-senior-circuit-breaker-tax-credit#overview-
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/highly-recommended-tax-work-off
https://states.aarp.org/massachusetts/
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-revenue
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Thank you,
Jessica
Jessica Margiotta
Director of Communications
Office of the Senate Minority Leader | State Senator Bruce E. Tarr
Massachusetts State House, Room 308 | Boston, MA 02133
Office: 617-722-1600, ext. 1603| Cell: 978-675-6109
Email: jessica.margiotta@masenate.gov
