An Act authorizing the City of Melrose to establish a means tested senior citizen property tax exemption
Sponsored By: Kate Lipper-Garabedian (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Melrose tax break for senior homeowners
Melrose gives a property tax exemption for your owner‑occupied home. The amount equals the circuit breaker credit you qualified for last year. You must meet circuit breaker income rules and age rules (65+; for joint owners, one 65+ and the other 60+). You must have owned and lived in a Melrose home for 10 straight years, and your home’s value must be at or below the state limit. You must apply each year on the board’s form with income and asset documents; the board can deny if your assets are too high. This is on top of your other state exemptions.
Melrose senior tax break is temporary
The law takes effect immediately. It replaces Chapter 100 of the Acts of 2022. The Melrose exemption program ends after three years unless lawmakers extend it.
Relief starts after state certifies rate
No exemption is granted until the Massachusetts Department of Revenue certifies the residential tax rate for that year. The certification makes sure the total exemptions are funded by a shift within the residential tax levy. This can delay when you see the tax cut. It does not change who qualifies or the amount.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Kate Lipper-Garabedian
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor, Chapter 35 of the Acts of 2025
9/26/2025Enacted and laid before the Governor
9/18/2025SenateEnacted
9/17/2025HouseRead second, ordered to a third reading, read third (title changed) and passed to be engrossed
9/15/2025SenateTaken out of the Orders of the Day
9/15/2025SenateRead; and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session
8/14/2025SenateRead third and passed to be engrossed
8/11/2025HouseRead second and ordered to a third reading
7/31/2025HouseRules suspended
7/31/2025HouseCommittee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting
7/31/2025HouseBill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
7/28/2025HouseHearing scheduled for 05/13/2025 from 10:30 AM-01:00 PM in A-1
5/8/2025legislatureSenate concurred
4/3/2025SenateReferred to the committee on Revenue
3/31/2025House
Bill Text
Chapter 35 of the Acts of 2025
9/26/2025
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