Accepting Applications Starting December 1, 2024

Program Requirements & Forms

Amesbury homeowners, 60 or older, can work 100 hours between March and October to earn $1500 off 2025 property taxes. There are 30 slots available, previous applicants are encouraged to reapply. You will be asked to verify a single household income of no more than $72,900 or $98,600 for 2 person household. Veterans applying for the Veteran tax work off program do not have any income requirements. A complete overview and application can be found at the bottom of this page, or be picked up at the Senior Community Center at 68 Elm Street Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.

Amesbury Senior & Veteran Tax Work-off Program 2024 Overview

The Amesbury Council on Aging will continue to administer a Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Program for residents. The job opportunities available are for special projects and assistance to Department Heads in the various City offices.

Program Requirements for Seniors

To be eligible for the program, applicants must be 60 years of age or older at the time of application, reside within the City of Amesbury, and own and occupy the property for which taxes are to be paid. Applicants should be able to verify a household income of no more than $72,900 (single household) and $98,600 (2-person household) or less. There are no asset restrictions.

Program Requirements for Veterans

To be eligible for the program, applicants must reside within the City of Amesbury, and own and occupy the property for which taxes are to be paid. There are no asset restrictions. Applicant must be a Veteran with a valid DD214 with honorable discharge. VSO verification is required.

Compensation

• $15.00 per hour
• Participants will receive abatement for up to 100 hours of service. Any hours worked beyond the 100 hours cannot be accumulated for the Tax Work-Off Program Participants are entitled to no City employee benefits and they present no liability to the City
• Maximum amount of abatement is $1,500 per person on 2025 property taxes worked between March through October 2024
• Payment will be made via an abatement on the tax bills the following year. A paycheck will not be issued to the program participants

Taxpayer Must

• Be 60 years of age or older as of January 1, 2024
• Only one 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 the hours
• Own and occupy the property as his/her principal residence
• Be current with property tax and water/sewer payments
• 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 worksite
• Be interviewed for job placement by the Amesbury Council of Aging Director

Time sheets must be signed off by the department supervisor each day that is worked. A final accounting of time worked will be submitted to the Council of Aging Director. Once verified, the Council on Aging Director will notify the Tax Collector, who will apply the abatement, based on the number of hours worked, to the participant's 2025 property tax bill.

Job Placement for a Tax Credit Position

• No applicant is guaranteed a position. A lottery system may be used if there are more applicants than available positions
• Individuals will be chosen based on the best match between the application's qualification and the skill requirement of each job. There is no guarantee that a placement can be matched with a participant based on worksite needs and skills of the participant
• Applicant will be interviewed by the department supervisor of the position or which they have been placed
• There will be a two week probationary period to asses the appropriateness of the placement
• Program participants may not work for relatives who are City employees

Required Documents for Application

For Seniors: Tax Work-Off Information needed to accompany application:

• Filled out Application
• Personal Identification (Copy of Drivers License, etc.)
• Copy of Property Tax Bill
• Completed CORI form
• Proof of Income (Copy of 1040 form of Income Tax, etc.)

For Veterans: Tax Work-Off Information needed to accompany application:

• Filled out Application
• Personal Identification (Drivers License, etc.)
• Copy of Property Tax Bill
• Completed CORI form
• Valid DD214 with honorable discharge

Submitting Applications

Please return completed application to reception desk on the 2nd floor of the Amesbury Senior Community Center, 68 Elm Street, Monday through Friday 8 am to 4 pm. Deadline for applications is Tuesday, January 30th, 2024.