July 11, 2023 By the Town of Hingham
In an effort to provide targeted property tax relief to older homeowners, the Town of Hingham is once again encouraging eligible residents to apply for the Town’s Senior Means-Tested Tax Exemption.
Hingham’s 2019 Annual Town Meeting approved the new exemption for long-time residents who meet certain income and asset criteria.
This is the third year the Town is offering this property tax exemption to seniors. Hingham’s 2023 Annual Town Meeting took action to make this new exemption permanent. In an effort to boost this program, the Town is engaging in outreach to inform as many residents as possible prior to the Sept. 1 application deadline.
“The Town’s property tax program has been used by many families in past years as a cost-saving measure, and we encourage all eligible seniors to apply, especially in light of the recent override supported by the community,” Hingham Select Board Chair Elizabeth Klein said. “We recognize the importance for families to be able to remain an active part of our community, and we ask that residents help spread the word if they know someone who might be able to take advantage of these programs.”
The Town is holding an informational session on the Senior Means-Tested Tax Exemption on Thursday, July 20, at 12:30 p.m. at the Hingham Center for Active Living (Hingham Senior Center), 224 Central Street. Interested residents should register for the event at myactivecenter.com or by calling 781-741-1458.
What is the benefit?
The maximum exemption amount for FY24 is $1,200.Those eligible will have a credit applied to the property tax bill residents will receive in December 2023.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
Age: Must be 65 or older (co-owner must be 60 or older) by Dec. 31, 2022.
Residency: Must have owned and occupied a residence in Hingham for at least 10 consecutive years.
Income: Annual income for 2022 cannot exceed $64,000 for single individuals, $80,000 for head of household, or $96,000 for married couples filing a joint return.
Assessed value: Homeowner’s principal residence not to exceed $912,000.
Assets: Applicants must not have excessive assets as determined by the Board of Assessors.
State Tax Return: Must have claimed the State Circuit Breaker Tax Credit for tax year 2022.
When is the Deadline?
Applications are due to the Assessor’s Office by Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. Applications are available in the Assessor’s Office on the first floor of Town Hall on Central Street or on the Town website at hingham-ma.gov/mte. All inquiries and submitted applications will remain confidential.
“The Board of Assessors and the Assessing Department are thrilled to be able to provide this senior tax exemption to Hingham residents for the third year,” said Joshua Ross, Chair of the Board of Assessors. “The Town of Hingham has always placed a priority on helping our senior population however it can, and we are happy to be a part of that effort.”
For residents who are unsure if they qualify for the senior tax exemption or who have other questions, the Assessor’s Office can be reached at 781-741-1455, by email at Assessors@hingham-ma.gov, or in person on the first floor of Town Hall.
Other Programs for Hingham Residents
The Town of Hingham offers a number of different property tax relief exemptions and programs for residents based on age, income, and veteran or disability status. In addition to the Senior Means-Tested Tax Exemption, exemptions are available for those experiencing financial hardship, residents over 65 years old, surviving spouses or persons over 70 years old, through the Elderly and Disabled Taxation Aid Fund, residents who are legally blind, various programs for disabled veterans, Gold Star families, and more. Hingham’s Annual Town Meeting in April 2023 voted to double the amounts offered through these exemptions starting this fiscal year. Applications for these programs must be submitted to the Assessor’s Office by April 1.
There are also tax work-off programs and a tax deferral program that can provide additional tax relief for Hingham residents.
More information on these exemptions and programs can be found on the Town’s website. Staff members in the Assessor’s Office are also available to help direct residents to the right programs.