Above: The Town announced the 2021-22 Senior Tax Work-Off application window will open this month. Applications can be picked up at (and must be submitted to) the Southborough Senior Center. (photo by Beth Melo)
The Senior Tax Work-Off Program is finally back this summer. After putting the program on hold for over a year, the Town has posted the details on applying this summer.
Each year, the Town normally offers volunteer positions to residents age 60+ that qualify as service hours in exchange for reduced property taxes.
In 2020, the Town announced that the program would have to be postponed due to the pandemic. On June 23rd, the Town posted to its website that the opportunity will return.
The Town’s website explains that the tax discount will be handled a bit differently than usual due to the late timing:
Applicants can normally complete the entire 78.5 hours of work for a $1000 credit or 117.5 hours of work for a $1500 credit but since we are beginning the program later in the year, participants will be paid for the hours worked up to the $1500. Hours must be completed by March 1, 2022.
The window to apply opens Tuesday, July 13 and closes two weeks from the date (which is July 27). However, applicants will want to ensure their application is in ASAP.
The Town will select 30 applicants. There will be preference for household incomes less than $45K. Applications will be considered in the order in which they were received. (Only if there are remaining slots after the lower income applications are accepted will applications for residents with household incomes over $45K be considered.)
After the application window closes, the Town will work to match accepted applicants to available positions. However, if the accepted applicant is unable to match to a position by August 15th, they will move on to the next qualified applicant.
To qualify, applicants must own and reside in the property that the tax discount will be applied to. For the full details, including how to apply, click here.
You can also pick up the application at the Southborough Senior Center (which is also the site where completed applications should be dropped in a designated box).
