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Home My Public Portal AboutSenior Workoff ApplicationTown of Brewster 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631-1898 Phone: (508) 896-3701 Fax: (508) 896-8089 Brewster Senior Volunteer Property Tax Abatement Program 1 SENIOR CITIZEN REAL ESTATE TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM The Senior Real Estate Tax Abatement Program matches municipal volunteer opportunities in the Town of Brewster with eligible senior citizens who are qualified and able to volunteer their services in exchange for a reduction in their real estate tax bills. Program participants may work in a variety of jobs for the Town. Senior Real Estate Tax Abatement Program 2018 Program Overview (Fiscal Year 2019) Tax Credit Amount In exchange for volunteer service, the Town will abate the annual real estate property tax by $500.00* (*less mandatory deductions). Half of the net abatement amount will be deducted from the fall real estate tax bill and the remainder will be deducted from the spring real estate tax bill. A minimum of 45.5 hours of volunteer service must be completed by September 1, 2018. For the 2018 Program there are twenty available spots. Program Eligibility Requirements  Town of Brewster Taxpayer who is age sixty (60) or older  Homeowner and occupant as of July 1st of the prior calendar year for the property that the abatement is requested  Owned and occupied real estate in Brewster for the preceding five (5) years  Limit of one (1) Senior Real Estate Tax Abatement per property, if you own multiple properties only your domicile is eligible for abatement, only one (1) owner can apply for this abatement (Note; You will continue to receive other exemptions to which you are entitled)  Priority will be given to those residents whose annual income is less than $48,977 if single, $55,981 if married Volunteer Assignment Criteria  Applicants should have skills & qualifications that match volunteer assignment requirements  The service requirement must be completed by September 1, 2018  Hours may not be saved or carried over to the next program year Mandatory Deductions for Participants Deducted from Gross Abatement Amount  OBRA; 7.5% gross contribution unless exempt (this amount may be returned at the end of the program)  Medicare; 1.45% gross contribution Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631-1898 Phone: (508) 896-3701 Fax: (508) 896-8089 Brewster Senior Volunteer Property Tax Abatement Program 2 State & Federal Tax Obligations  Exempt from MA taxes  Included in taxpayers gross income for both Federal & FICA purposes through a W-2 form Benefits; Health/Life/Workers Comp  Not eligible for any Town benefits Application Process  Complete applications, including all attachments, are due to the Council on Aging no later than December 15, 2017 TOWN OF BREWSTER COUNCIL ON AGING ATTN: REGINA EGAN 1673 MAIN STREET BREWSTER, MA 02631 (508) 896-2737 FAX: (508) 896-7587 Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631-1898 Phone: (508) 896-3701 Fax: (508) 896-8089 Brewster Senior Volunteer Property Tax Abatement Program 3 SENIOR CITIZEN REAL ESTATE TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM SENIOR CITIZEN APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 15, 2017 Date: ________________ Name of Owner: _____________________________________ Social Security Number: _______________________________ Address of Residence: _________________________________ (Owner must occupy the above residence) Mailing Address (if different): ____________________________ Home Telephone Number: _______________________________ Cell Phone Number: ____________________________________ Email Address: ________________________________________ Emergency Contact Name & Phone Number: _________________________________________ Eligibility Requirements YES NO Over age 60 ____ ____ (provide copy of driver’s license or birth certificate) Brewster resident _____ _____ (provide copy of current tax bill) Income eligibility _____ _____ (provide copy of 2016 form 1040, first 2 pages) (Please note that additional financial information may be required, such as bank or other asset account statements. All submitted information will be confidential.) Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631-1898 Phone: (508) 896-3701 Fax: (508) 896-8089 Brewster Senior Volunteer Property Tax Abatement Program 4 Department you would prefer volunteering for: _____Town Hall (specify dept) _____Fire/Rescue Department _____Police Department _____Water Department _____Stony Brook Elementary School _____Eddy Elementary School _____Recreation Department _____Council on Aging _____Captains Golf Course _____Dept. of Public Works _____Swap Shop _____ Ladies Library 1. Have you ever applied or received any credits on your taxes as part of Brewster’s Senior Real Estate Tax Abatement Program? Circle: YES NO If yes, please list the departments and year(s) of voluntary service. 2. Please discuss those past experiences and types of skills which might qualify you for this position. Please list three skills. Computer skills: Please circle the word that best describes your comfort level performing data entry task: No Computer Use Fair Good Excellent Circle the software programs you are familiar with: MS Excel MS Word MS PowerPoint Other 3. Are there any restrictions that may keep you from volunteering for a particular kind of work or that may require specific work accommodations? Please explain Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 02631-1898 Phone: (508) 896-3701 Fax: (508) 896-8089 Brewster Senior Volunteer Property Tax Abatement Program 5 If I qualify for the Senior Property Tax Abatement Program, I understand that I may earn a maximum of $500.00* credit (*less mandatory deductions) which can only be applied as an abatement to my Town of Brewster Property Tax. Half of the net abatement amount will be deducted from the fall real estate tax bill and the remainder will be deducted from the spring real estate tax bill. No money will be exchanged. It is my responsibility to report this earning to the IRS during the tax year it is received. This is not considered income for the purposes of Mass. State income Tax Returns. I also understand that no partial credit will be issued and that credit shall not be carried over to the following year. The below signature indicates that this application has been prepared or examined by the person signing below. Under pains and penalties of perjury, I declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief, it and all accompanying documents and statements are true, correct and complete. Signature________________________________ Date __________________ APPLICANT CHECKLIST Participant Application (completed in full, signed and dated) ___________ Copy of most recent property tax bill ___________ Copy of driver’s license or birth certificate ___________ Copy of first 2 pages of 2016 Form 1040 ___________ CORI Form ___________