What is the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Program?

The Town of Provincetown, through the Council on Aging , offers Senior Citizen residents a $750 tax credit on their property tax bill. The award will be made to qualified local senior citizens willing to volunteer 100 hours of community service during the tax year.

How does the plan work?

The Senior Citizen Real Estate Program recognizes that many seniors can provide a wealth of knowledge and skills from which the town could benefit in its various departmental needs, while providing the participating seniors with a much needed tax break. The Council on Aging will provide a job match for each qualified senior citizen on a first-come/first-served basis. The various town departments will file their needs with the Council on Aging and through interview and application approval, the senior will be placed in an appropriate location.

Qualifications:

Eligibility for acceptance is limited to Provincetown residents , age 60 and older, who own real estate in Provincetown.

Selected participants will be required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer work within the calendar year for which they have qualified. All must complete and sign a Senior Tax Credit Form. Also, proof of ownership of the property that will receive the tax credit must be presented.

Program Operations:

The Council on Aging shall administer the program by enlisting potential volunteer opportunites from Town Departments. The program will be advertised. Interested Seniors will complete applications, be interviewed for time commitment and skill level, then matched to appropriate volunteer openings. A wide range of interests and skill levels are available in all positions.

Participating Department Heads are required to report Senior Tax volunteer's hours on a monthly basis. The Director of the COA will submit a list of the program participants who have completed 100 hours of work to the Treasurer/Collector with authorization to credit each participant's tax bill. These Seniors will also receive a statement of completion. The $750 deduction will be counted as income on your Federal Tax Return, but not on your State Return.

How is my hourly schedule arranged?
An initial appointment is made between the Department Head and the Senior tax worker. A schedule is agreed upon considering the Senior's time availability and the Department's need flexibility. Flexibility is an advantage of this program. Department Heads will offer as much flexibility as possible. Schedule changes and priorities for the Seniors will be considered.

What if I get sick and cannot adhere to my regular schedule?

If you are sick, you should call the Department and let them know. Seniors and Department Heads will work together. Every opportunity will be made to offer 100 hours in the time designated for completion.

What happens if I get sick and cannot complete my 100 hours?

Partial credit cannot be awarded in this program. 100 hours must be completed during the calendar year agreed upon.

Do I declare the $750 as income?

A W-2 form will be issued and Medicare will be deducted. You must declare $750 on your federal tax return but not on your state return.

If I am not satisfied with my job,to whom do I go?
The Director of the Council on Aging.

If I have no special skills, i.e., computer, typing, bookkeeping, or have never worked, etc., will I still be eligible?

Most of the jobs in this program require nothing more than common sense. You will be trained by the Department Head as to how to accomplish your task. We will help you with a position that will help the department that you enjoy.

Can more than one eligible owner participate?

Yes, but not during the same tax period. Only $750 can be deducted from any tax bill. Therefore, only one owner at a time can participate.

Applications are available at the Council on Aging Office, 26 Alden Street, Grace Gouveia Building.