Senior Tax Work Off Program _ Northampton, MA - Official Website/
SENIOR TAX WORK OFF PROGRAM
Overview
The Senior Citizen Tax Work Off Program is open to senior citizens (60 years of age and older) who own property in
and pay real estate taxes to the City of Northampton. The program participant’s name must appear on the property
deed. Participants must complete 117 hours of service in the program year, which runs from January 1 to October 31. A
$1,500 property tax credit minus the required withholdings will be applied to the participant’s real estate tax bill in the
following fiscal year, not current year’s property tax bill. Applications are available in November of each year.
Program Requirements
Participants should work the required 117* hours of service to receive the total. Hours worked may not be shared with
another family member. Each individual should fulfill the total hours of service obligation. However, the City of
Northampton, based on need, may place the participant in more than one (1) job in order to fulfill the total hours.
*To receive the maximum $1,500 tax credit participants must work 117 hours. Working less than 117 hours
results in a pro-rated tax credit based on the number of hours worked.
City of Northampton Eligibility Criteria
Income Guidelines
Household Size and TOTAL GROSS Annual Income
Household Size Maximum Income
1 $53,200
2 $60,800
3 $68,400
4 $76,000
5 $82,080
6 $88,160
*To receive the maximum $1,500 tax credit, participants MUST work 117 hours. Working less than 117 hours results in
a pro-rated tax credit based on the number of hours.
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(Income guidelines FY19 State Median Income Guidelines)
Compensation
$12.75 per hour (MGL Ch.59 Section 5K)
Participants will receive abatement for up to 117* hours of service. Any hours worked beyond the 117 hours cannot
be accumulated for the Tax Work Off Program.
Maximum amount of abatement is $1,500 per person per fiscal year.
Money earned through the Tax Work Off Program is reportable income for federal taxes only. Participants will
receive a W-2 form for the amount of money earned through the program.
Taxpayer must:
Be sixty (60) years of age or older as of January 1, 2020
Only one (1) tax credit per family per calendar year is allowed
All hours of work must be completed by the participant. No other person can work on the senior’s behalf to fulfill
hours
Own and occupy the property as his/her principal residence
Possess and identify employable skills
Complete the application and provide necessary income verification
Provide annual income eligibility verification for continuing participation in the program
Complete a CORI check and/or provide references if required by the work site
Be interviewed for job placement by Northampton Senior Services Director or designee
Any person found guilty of having committed a criminal act involving the City or any of its officers or employees
shall be ineligible to participate in the program.
Job Placement for a Tax Credit Position
Individuals will be chosen based on the best match between the applicants qualifications and the skill requirements
of each job
Applicants will be interviewed by the department supervisor of the position for which they have been placed.
Participants must work on site.
There will be a two (2) week probationary period to assess the appropriateness of the placement
Program participants may not work for relatives who are City employees
Individuals previously chosen for the program may make re-application in subsequent years. No applicant is
guaranteed a position. A lottery system may be used if there are more applicants than available positions
Time sheets will be filled out by the department supervisor each day that is worked. A final accounting of time
worked will be submitted to the Senior Services Director or designee by the supervisor. Once verified, the Senior
Services Director will submit to the Assessor for the abatement based on the number of hours worked.
The policy of the City of Northampton is to achieve equal opportunity in employment and selection by the employment
of individuals who meet the physical and mental requirements of the job to which they have been assigned, with
reasonable accommodation, and who have the education, training and experience, established and necessary for the
performance of the job, without regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, veterans status, sexual
orientation, or other factors unrelated to the ability to perform the requirements of the job.
Deadline Dates:
Application is made available to participants December 2, 2019.
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Application and supporting financial information for January 1, 2020 – October 31, 2020 Program year deadline by:
December 13, 2019
Participants qualifying for the Program will be notified by: January 10, 2020
Senior participants will be interviewed by the Senior Center Director or her designee, in January 2020 for job
placement. Veteran’s will be interviewed by the Veteran’s Services Director or his designee.
Job site supervisor will interview participant as soon after placement as possible
Work may commence for participants after interviews have been completed and participant has been assigned.
Work schedule will be determined by work-site supervisor and participant.
If you are applying, the application and supporting financial eligibility documentation MUST be submitted for the
application to be complete and processed. Supporting financial records can be emailed to
mwestburg@northamptonma.gov or dropped off or sent via mail to Director, Seniors’ Center, 67 Conz St.,
Northampton, MA 01060.
Forms can be obtained at the Assessor ’s Office at City Hall, 210 Main St., Northampton, MA 01060, and the
Northampton Senior Services and Senior Center, 67 Conz St., Northampton, MA 01060.
Download an Application (PDF)
Apply Online
Program Guidelines (PDF)
Tax Workoff Program Video
Mayor's Report video regarding Senior & Veteran Tax Workoff
Program
If you are interested in viewing the video of the Mayor's Report regarding the Senior & Veteran Tax Workoff Program
visit the YouTube website