Swampscott offers tax abatement program

SWAMPSCOTT – The Assessor’s Office is accepting applications from seniors interested in a property tax work off abatement.The program offers up to 27 Swampscott seniors who are 60 years old or older the opportunity to earn a credit of up to $750 on their property tax bill by working for the town in various capacities.Resident Margaret Sullivan, 84, has been participating in the work off abatement program for three years and said she plans on signing up again this year.”I love it,” she said. “I like to keep busy and I really enjoy mixing with all the people in town.”Before she retired, Sullivan worked in the Swampscott School District Administration office for 16 years and she also worked in the accounting office in Town Hall. In her three years with the tax abatement program, Sullivan has worked in the Middle School library and Town Hall.”It’s an excellent program,” she said. “I want to give back to the community and this program lets me do that. It is good for me and the town.”Any senior who lives alone and has an annual income of $45,000 or less is eligible to apply for the program and a household of two seniors, with a combined income of $60,000 or less is eligible. Applicants must have resided in Swampscott since July 1, 2008 in order to qualify for the program.Applications for the program are available in the Assessor’s Office. Assistant Assessor Donna Champagne O’Keefe said applications must be returned by Nov. 24. The town only has 27 slots, so if there are more qualified applicants than slots, a lottery would be held.O’Keefe said filling out an application does not guarantee the maximum allowable abatement of $750 because it depends on how much work is available and each applicant’s ability to perform the required work.In addition to the work abatement program, there are numerous other tax deferral and tax exemption programs available to seniors.A tax deferral program allows seniors to defer paying all or a portion of their taxes until they transfer the title to their property. Tax exemptions, ranging from $175 to $500, are available for veterans, seniors who are over the age of 70, widows, widowers and individuals who are legally blind.Anyone who needs assistance with applying for deferments or abatements should call the Assessors Office at 781-596-8858.