Budget & Taxes

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4594: An Act relative to the establishment of a Milton means-tested property tax exemption

HD 4594 creates a property tax exemption for seniors in Milton who own and live in their homes as their primary residence. To qualify, applicants must be 65+ (or jointly with a 65+ spouse) and have owned their Milton home for 10+ consecutive years, meet income limits tied to the circuit breaker income tax credit, and pass asset tests. The exemption covers 50-100% of the applicant’s prior year’s circuit breaker credit amount, but cannot reduce taxes by more than 50%. Applicants must reapply yearly with income and asset documentation, and the town sets the exact exemption amount annually within budget limits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides targeted property tax relief for qualifying seniors via exemption tied to circuit breaker credit, aligning with tax relief for lower-income residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 24, 2025

HD 4578: An Act repealing the sales tax on boats built or rebuilt in the Commonwealth

By Representative Kearney of Scituate, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Patrick Joseph Kearney relative to repealing the sales tax on boats built or rebuilt in the Commonwealth. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals sales tax on boats, providing tax relief and reducing government revenue from this source, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2942: An Act relative to a refundable Title 5 septic tax credit

HD 2942 creates a refundable tax credit for Massachusetts homeowners who must repair, replace, or upgrade their septic systems or cesspools, or connect to a sewer system under environmental regulations. The credit covers 60% of eligible costs (up to $30,000 total) for work required by Title 5 of the state environmental code or related permits, with a maximum annual credit of $4,000 that can be carried forward for up to five years, totaling $18,000. Homeowners who are not dependents of another taxpayer and have not claimed this credit for the same property before qualify. The credit is refundable, meaning it can reduce tax liability to zero and the state will pay any remaining credit amount.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable tax credit for septic repairs, providing direct tax relief to homeowners, aligning with middle-income tax support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate May 12, 2025

SD 2885: Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution requiring a supermajority vote for the utilization of rainy day funds

Senate, May 12, 2025 -- (Filed by Mr. Tarr) Order relative to the calling of a proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to require a supermajority vote for the utilization of rainy day funds.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRequires supermajority to access rainy day funds, restricting budget flexibility and limiting fiscal management options for state spending.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 2, 2025

H 739: An Act relative to MSBA school funding

By Representative Vaughn of Wrentham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 739) of Marcus S. Vaughn relative to School Building Advisory Board funding. Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state budget resources to MSBA school building projects, directly funding public education infrastructure as a government spending priority.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directly addresses MSBA school funding, providing financial support for school infrastructure and operations, aligning with educational funding initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4808: An Act authorizing the town of Marblehead to establish a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption

This bill authorizes the town of Marblehead to create a property tax exemption for senior residents who meet specific income and residency requirements. It directly affects seniors aged 65+ (or 60+ with a spouse 65+) who own and live in Marblehead as their primary residence for at least 10 years and have household income below a locally set threshold. The exemption covers the full property tax plus 50% of annual water and sewer costs, minus a portion of the applicant's income, prior-year tax credits, and other relief, but cannot exceed a yearly cap set by the town's select board. Applications must be submitted annually, and the town may deny exemptions for applicants with excessive assets as defined by local regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax relief for low-income seniors (65+/60+ with spouse), directly aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income groups.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax relief for low-income seniors, reducing housing costs and increasing affordability for vulnerable residents.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 12, 2025

H 4151: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects.

This bill allocates supplemental funding for Massachusetts' fiscal year 2025, adding specific sums to existing state budgets for critical programs. It directly affects state agencies and services, including veterans' benefits ($5.8M), child care programs ($95.6M), medical assistance ($134.5M), and senior housing initiatives (e.g., $2M for the Brooke House in Mattapan, which will provide 127 affordable units for seniors). Key mechanisms include funding for the semiquincentennial anniversary ($15M), park improvements ($6M), and transitions to new systems (e.g., $7.5M for electronic benefits cards). The bill supplements existing appropriations without creating new laws, focusing solely on funding allocations for the 2025 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates supplemental funding for veterans' benefits ($5.8M), child care ($95.6M), medical assistance ($134.5M), and senior housing, directly increasing state spending on public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $134.5M to medical assistance and funds senior housing/child care programs, directly strengthening healthcare services and coverage.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $2M for 127 affordable senior housing units at Brooke House, directly funding affordable housing initiatives.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly allocates $5.8M specifically for veterans' benefits in its fiscal year 2025 appropriations.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 2, 2026

H 3241: An Act establishing a senior property tax deferral pilot program

By Representative Scanlon of North Attleborough, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3241) of Adam J. Scanlon relative to establishing a senior property tax deferral pilot program. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax deferral for seniors, offering tax relief to fixed-income residents, aligning with support indicators for Budget & Taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 2, 2026

H 3968: An Act relative to a tax exemption for seniors and a person with a disability

By Representative MacGregor of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3968) of William F. MacGregor relative to property tax exemptions for seniors and persons with disabilities. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for seniors/disabled, offering tax relief to lower-income groups per bill's explicit tax exemption focus.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides property tax exemptions for seniors and persons with disabilities, reducing housing costs for homeowners and supporting affordability for this group.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 17, 2026

H 3236: An Act expanding the senior property tax exemption

By Representative Scanlon of North Attleborough, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3236) of Adam J. Scanlon relative to expanding the senior property tax exemption. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands senior property tax exemption, providing tax relief for seniors, aligning with tax relief indicators for support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

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