Exemptions

Personal Exemptions

An exemption is a release from the obligation of having to pay taxes on all or part of a parcel of real property. Personal exemptions are a reduction in taxes due to a particular personal circumstance and qualifications set forth in the Massachusetts General Laws. The burden is on the applicant to show that he or she falls within the expressed terms of the exemption provision.

Exemption applications for Fiscal 2023 will be mailed to all previous participants in August 2022.  The updated forms reflecting the changes approved at Annual Town Meeting will be available on this site by the end of July.

Filing Deadline

The deadline to file for a personal exemption is April 1, 2023.  If we receive your application by November 15, 2022, the exemption will be split and shown as a credit on your 3rd and 4th quarter tax bills.

Exemption Period

Exemptions are granted for 1 year only. An application must be filed each year.

Application Forms

Personal Exemption Provisions

Personal exemptions must be filed no later than December 15 of each year or 3 months after the mailing of the first actual tax bill (usually in December), whichever is later.

Exemptions are granted for 1 year only. An application must be filed each year.

Eligible Persons

Full or partial exemptions are provided in the General Laws for the following persons:

  • Blind exemption (Clause 37A)
  • Elderly (Clause 41C)
  • Surviving spouse (widow/widower), minor child of a deceased parent, elderly (Clause 17D)
  • Tax Deferral (Clause 41A)
  • Veteran with service-connected disability (Clause 22)

How to Apply

The application must be filed with the Assessor's Office on or before April 1.

Details

  • If their application is subsequently approved, the amount of the exemption will be credited to their 4th Quarter tax bill.
  • Taxpayers have 3 months from the mailing of the actual tax bill (usually in December) to file a Clause Exemption Application with the Assessors Office. Applicants should check the postmark of the 3rd Quarter bill envelope.
  • Taxpayers must pay the full amount indicated on this bill by February 1, even if they have an application pending.

Please Note

  • A taxpayer may not receive more than 1 of the exemptions listed on the personal exemptions provisions page. If, however, taxpayers qualify for more than 1 of these exemptions, the assessors will encourage them to apply for and receive the exemption that saves them the most money.
  • The amounts of the exemptions range from $175 to $1,000, depending on the exemption type.
  • There are other more specific exemptions (surviving spouse of police officers and fire fighters killed in the line of duty, paraplegic veterans) for which the assessors can provide information.