I was pleased that the Senate unanimously adopted my amendment during debate of S.2901, An Act relative to senior property tax deferral, in the formal Senate session yesterday.
Tarr Amendment to S.2901 | Amendment #6: Increasing the Income Limit for Senior Tax Deferral
Under current law, many seniors are shut out of the Senior Tax Deferral Program because the income limit is set unrealistically low.
My amendment, now included in S.2901, gives cities and towns the local option to raise that limit, allowing significantly more seniors to qualify and stay in their homes while managing rising costs.
How Tarr Amendment Expands Access for Seniors
How Tarr Amendment Expands Access for Seniors
By allowing towns to adopt a higher income limit (up to the Senior Circuit Breaker level, which is adjusted annually), this amendment opens the door for thousands of additional seniors who are currently excluded under the old statutory cap.
SEE DETAILED CHART FOR BREAK DOWN BY TAX FILER.
In addition to my amendment expanding income limits, this bill—also unanimously passed by the Senate—makes more meaningful improvements for seniors by:
• Lowering the Massachusetts residency requirement from 10 years to 7 years
• Providing families with more time before interest increases or foreclosure can be pursued
• Delaying those actions until one year after a taxpayer’s passing
Seniors are a vital part of our communities, and I remain committed to protecting their interests and supporting policies that help them stay in the homes and towns they have worked so hard to build. Everyone deserves the peace of mind that comes with stability, dignity, and security as they age, and I will continue working to make sure our laws reflect that commitment.