Personal Exemptions

Fiscal 2021 Tax Assistance Programs

As approved by state law, the Board of Assessors administers tax assistance programs for various eligible taxpayers. These programs are summarized below. Additional information and the necessary application can be obtained by contacting the Department of The Board of Assessors at 508-543-1215.

Applications for Fiscal 2021 will be available July 1, 2020.

Applications for exemptions must be filed each year. Exemptions are granted on an annual basis.

For Older Citizens (Clause 41C Application):

To qualify, a taxpayer:

1. must be over 65 years of age as of July 1, 2020 and

2. must have primary residence in Massachusetts for ten years and owned property in the state for five years and must have occupied the property as of July 1, 2020 and

3. must have a whole estate (the value of personal property excluding domicile) of less than $40,000 if single, $55,000 if married and

4.must have an income less than $20,000 if single, $30,000 if married, after subtracting an allowable exclusion.

Upon Approval, Taxpayer Is Entitled To A $1000.00 Exemption

DOR Brochure

For Older Citizens: Tax Deferral (Clause 41A Application):

To qualify, a taxpayer:

1. must be over 65 years of age as of July 1, 2020 and
2. must have primary residence in Massachusetts for ten years and owned property in the state for five years

and
3. must have occupied the property as of July 1, 2020

and
4. must have a total gross income of less than $20,000 per year.

Upon Approval, Taxpayer Is Entitled To Defer (Delay) Payment Of Annual Tax Bill

DOR Brochure

For Elderly Surviving Spouse, Minor Child (Clause 17D Application):

To qualify, a taxpayer:

1. must be a surviving spouse or surviving minor child

2. must have owned and occupied the property for five years and

3. must have a whole estate (the value of personal property less domicile) of less than $40,000.

Upon Approval, Taxpayer is Entitled To a $350.00 Exemption.

DOR Brochure

Disabled Veteran (Clause 22 Application):

To qualify, a taxpayer:

1. must be a veteran or spouse of a veteran and

2. must have a service-connected disability of 10% or more or

3. have been awarded the Purple Heart or

4. be a veteran of the Spanish, Philippine or Chinese Expedition or

5. have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross or Navy Cross

N.B. The parents of a veteran who lost his/her life in service are also entitled to apply for this exemption.

Amount Of Exemption Varies According To Degree Of Disability.

DOR Brochure

Blind Persons (Clause 37A Application)

To qualify, a taxpayer:

1. must be a legal resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

2. own and occupy the property as his/her domicile,

3. and file current proof of blindness each year with the application.

Upon Approval, The Taxpayer Is Entitled To A $1,000.00 Exemption.

DOR Brochure

Age & Infirmity & Financial Hardship (Clause 18 Application):

Any property owner who cannot meet his/her real estate tax obligation due to AGE and INFIRMITY and POVERTY may apply for this exemption. To qualify, the applicant must present evidence to the Board of Assessors that corroborates the individual's inability to pay the assessed tax as well as documentation on the individual's infirmity and the individual's age. Household income, assets, home equity and ability to defer taxes are some of the factors considered when determining poverty or financial hardship.

Upon approval, the amount granted varies according to need


Senior Work-Off Program:

To qualify, a taxpayer:

1. must be sixty (60) years of age or older as of July 1 of the fiscal year

2. must have principal place of residence in Foxborough, Massachusetts as of July 1 of the fiscal year

3. must be the assessed owner of the property on which the tax to be abated is assessed, or have acquired ownership before the work is performed and the abatement applied. If the property is subject to a trust, the senior must have legal title (i.e. be one of the trustees) on the applicable January 1 assessment date, or at the time the work is performed.

Please contact the Elaine Repoff at the Foxboro Senior Center @ (508) 543-1252 for details and procedures.

Upon Approval, the Taxpayer is eligible to earn up to $1,500.00

Click Here to go the the Commonwealth of Massachusetts web site to learn about the Real Estate Tax Circuit Breaker Program for eligible senior (65 and older) taxpayers.