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H 3105MASSACHUSETTSSession 194thState Billin committee

Massachusetts bill authorizes municipalities to establish means-tested senior citizen property tax exemptions

Original title: An Act relative to the establishment of a means tested senior citizen property tax exemption

Last action · January 20, 2026: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and MeansSponsors: Carmine Gentile and 10 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

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Floor Vote

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What This Bill Would Do

Massachusetts cities and towns that accept the provision are authorized to provide property tax exemptions of up to 50 percent for qualifying senior citizens aged 65 and older. To qualify, applicants must meet specific residency, income, and property value thresholds, and the total exemptions granted are capped between 0.5 and 1 percent of the municipality's residential tax levy.

Why it matters

Qualifying senior homeowners could see their local property tax bills reduced by up to half, shifting a portion of the tax burden across the broader residential tax base within participating municipalities.

Background

Means-tested senior property tax exemptions in Massachusetts require local municipal acceptance under state enabling laws. context
The circuit breaker income tax credit is a state tax benefit for qualifying senior citizens based on real estate taxes or rent paid. context

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

senior citizens

Qualifying residents aged 65 or older may apply for property tax exemptions of up to 50 per cent.

Directly affected

residential property taxpayers

The total exemption amount is raised by a burden shift within the residential tax levy, affecting overall residential tax rates.

Directly affected

board of assessors

Local assessors are tasked with reviewing applications, verifying income and assets, and administering the exemption program.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

How large of a property tax reduction can a senior receive?

Property taxes can be reduced by the exemption amount, but in no event shall they be reduced by more than 50 per cent.

What are the residency requirements for applicants?

The applicant or at least one of the joint applicants must have been d in the city or town for at least 10 consecutive years before filing an application.

How long does a municipality's adoption of this exemption last?

The exemption expires every three years after its acceptance or re-acceptance unless re-accepted for additional 3-year intervals by a vote of the municipal legislative body.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

7 actions

Jan 20, 2026HouseCommittee
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
Jan 20, 2026House
Reported on a part of H4965
Jan 20, 2026House
Reported from the committee on House Rules
Jan 20, 2026House
Accompanied a study order, see H4965
Jun 12, 2025Joint
Hearing scheduled for 06/16/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
Feb 27, 2025Senate
Senate concurred

Show 1 earlier action

Feb 27, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to the committee on Revenue

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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