Tax relief work program to expand

Older Needham residents seeking relief from the town’s property tax burden may be able to get it by going to work for the town. By helping to staff town offices, they can earn a $15-an-hour abatement on their tax bills. 

Currently, two residents are participating in the program, but changes approved by Town Meeting last spring easing the eligibility requirements took effect this month. And according to Jessica Moss, assistant director of counseling and volunteers at The Center at the Heights, every department in town has been asked to find work for tax-relief seekers.

The program is open to property owners aged 60 and up with incomes below 80% of area median income, or $94,000 for single taxpayers and $106,000 for those filing jointly. Participants can work a maximum of 125 hours per year (up from 100). By working 125 hours, a taxpayer would earn a tax reduction of $1875.

Select Board member Josh Levy told the Observer he hopes the program can grow now that more hours of work are allowed and the income restriction has eased.

At spring Town Meeting, Levy said work could be found serving as a greeter or tour guide at the CATH, staffing the front desk at Park and Recreation, mail sorting, or helping other seniors to shop. “Also, there’s also plenty to do in the town clerk’s office stuffing envelopes,” Levy said. “We have a census going out in January and an election in April with mail out ballots.”

And, he said,“If someone is unable to do the work themselves, someone else could do the work on their behalf.” Select Board guidelines require workers to be at least 18 years old. 

Town Meeting spent 35 minutes debating a motion to eliminate all income requirements for the work-off program. The motion, offered by Lawrence Cohen from Precinct F, was defeated by voice vote. Town Meeting members were concerned that the town did not have enough work to offer a large number of tax-relief seekers.

The work-off abatement is considered taxable federal income. Participants in the  program are not guaranteed anonymity. They are considered public employees whose applications go through the town’s Human Resources Department.

The town’s web page also lists other considerations for acceptance into the work off program including assets such as stocks, bonds and other savings. Applicants are encouraged to explore other state offered tax relief programs before applying. 

CATH’S Moss, who finds work placements, said they are looking for chores not done by current employees. She acknowledged the program had to steer clear of collective bargaining agreements.

She said the two current enrollees help to serve the free breakfast at  the CATH. For information about the work off program, she said applicants should contact Annie Toth, aging services administrative assistant.

Perhaps basic math is a reason why the work off program has not garnered a lot of interest.  Working 125 hours at minimum wage would earn a tax abatement of  $1,875. Even for the homes in Needham with valuations of under $1 million, their property tax bill exceeds $10,000 annually. A full work off credit would leave about four-fifths of the property tax bill unpaid.

Levy thinks awareness may be a limiting factor. “Publicity is going to be very important in growing the program,” Levy said.

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