Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll Proposes Expansion of Senior Property Tax Break Program

Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll today proposed to the City Council that the City modify its existing property tax relief program for seniors to increase the number of senior residents who can apply and receive a break on their property taxes. Mayor Driscoll’s proposal would lower the qualifying age from 70 to 65 and increase the asset threshold for married seniors, raising it from $47,819 to $55,000. These changes would expand the program’s availability to even more Salem seniors and set the eligibility standards at the most allowed under state law.

In her communication to the City Council, Mayor Driscoll also indicated that the administration will shortly be filing a proposal to create an even more substantive property tax discount program for Salem seniors, based on the state’s Circuit Breaker program.

“Ultimately, I am hoping to raise the income requirements equal to that of the state’s Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Program and provide Salem seniors with an even greater opportunity to offset annual property tax increases,” said Mayor Driscoll. “We have worked hard to improve the financial position of the city over the last dozen years and, as a result of those efforts, I believe we are in a better position to expand exemptions, particularly for senior property owners who have experienced increases in the value of their homes, but not necessarily in their incomes.”

The larger program would require approval from both the City Council and, ultimately, the state legislature. In the meantime, Mayor Driscoll is proposing to expand the existing program to include as many senior residents as allowed under the state law.

“I strongly believe that this change is fair and warranted, and will expand the level of property tax reduction we can offer to Salem seniors on fixed and low incomes,” said Mayor Driscoll. “It would bring an added degree of progressiveness and fairness to the otherwise rigid property tax structure, by allowing reductions for even more of our most needy residents on their property tax bills. Over the last few years we have worked to expand the amount available for these exemptions; this measure will take that even further by expanding the number of Salem seniors who might qualify. I believe this is an equitable and fair approach to helping older adults in Salem, many of whom are living on fixed incomes. It is a reflection of our dedication to being an even more age-friendly community – a goal best demonstrated through the continuing work of the Salem for All Ages initiative and many others.”

More details about applying for the City’s existing property tax relief options can be found at https://www.salem.com/assessor/files/property-tax-relief-fy19 or by calling the Assessor’s Office at (978) 619-5608. More details about the proposal from Mayor Driscoll can be found at https://www.salem.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif12836/f/uploads/02_14_2019_city_council_filings.pdf#page=43