CITY OF CHICOPEE
Senior Tax Work Off Abatement Program
(M.G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5K)
FY 2021
PRESS RELEASE
December 11, 2019
CONTACT: Laura McCarthy 594-1430
The Board of Assessors would like to remind everyone that tax bills must be paid by Friday, December 27, 2019, at 5:00 pm. The real estate tax bills for fiscal year 2020 reflect higher market values that have recently existed in the real estate market and the current tax rates.
The Assessors have also announced that applications for the Senior Tax Work Off Program for next fiscal year are currently available in their office at city hall and at the Council on Aging at the River Mills Center, 5 West Main St., Chicopee, Massachusetts. This program allows senior citizens to volunteer at City Hall and in municipal offices in exchange for a credit applied to their real estate tax bills.
“This is an exciting program that was implemented by the mayor and the city council to help senior citizens who have worked hard all of their life but are still trying to make ends meet,” stated Chairman Laura McCarthy. “We are currently accepting applications for volunteers who will receive a credit on next year’s real estate tax bill.”
Under the program, taxpayers who are 60 years of age or older may earn a real estate tax credit of $750 per fiscal year by working 58.5 hours at a rate of $12.75 per hour. To be eligible for the program, the taxpayer must be the legal owner of the property and have an annual income of less than $45,000 if single, and $60,000 if married. The city has committed to funding 15 volunteer positions for fiscal year 2021.
“A wonderful mix of talented and experienced individuals were involved in the program this past year and they have received a credit on their fiscal year 2020 tax bill,” stated Assessor Brian Suchy.
“Applications are available at the Assessors’ office, the Senior Center and the city’s website but must be filed at the Assessors’ office in city hall,” added Assessor Victor Anop. Applications can be filed by mail or in person at the Assessors’ office at City Hall, 274 Front St., Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The deadline for filing is 5:00 p.m. on December 27, 2019.
This program is the result of the city council and Mayor adopting a local option statute, Chapter 59, section 5K that allows property tax bills to be reduced by a certain amount in exchange for volunteer services provided by seniors 60 years of age or older. The program is administered by the Council on Aging and the Chicopee Board of Assessors.
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