Clause Exemptions for Fiscal Year 2020
The laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts provide for real estate tax relief for certain people. Each category of tax relief is defined, and the allowable amount stated, in the various clauses of Chapter 59, Section 5 of the General Laws. The table below summarizes who qualifies for these exemptions and the amounts of the various exemptions. State law also gives each city and town the option of increasing the exemption up to double the amounts. The Somerville Board of Aldermen, with the approval of the Mayor, has elected this option each year. The exemption amounts shown in the tables are therefore base exemption amounts. They can be increased up to double the amounts shown depending upon the amount each applicant’s tax bill has increased over the prior years’ taxes (except for senior work-off). Certain deductions are allowed from the income limits shown for the clause exemptions. You should call or come into the Assessors Office in City Hall to find out details. The asset limits do not include the value of owner occupied properties.
| Clause Name | Clause# | Basic Qualifications as of 7/1/19 | Other Qualifications | Income Limits | Asset Limits | $$$ Amount | Forms |
| Elderly | 17D | Age 70 or older | Own & occupy property 5 years | None | $62,789 | $273 | Apply |
| Widows | 17D | Surviving Spouse | None | None | $62,789 | $273 | Apply |
| Other | 17D | Minor | Parents are deceased | None | $62,789 | $273 | Apply |
| Hardship | 18 | Age, Infirmity, Income | Must meet all three (3) | Poverty | Varies | Apply | |
| Temporary Hardship | 18A | Income, tax deferred 3% interest per year | MA resident 10 yrs. | Inability to pay | Varies | Apply | |
| Veterans | 22A | Service related loss of or loss of use of one foot or one hand or one eye or received honor etc. | Spouses (where veteran’s spouse owns the domicile) or surviving spouses of veterans entitled to exemption under Clause 22A | None | None | $750.00 | Apply |
| Veterans | 22 | 10% Service Disability or Purple Heart | Mass resident 6 months prior to service or 5 years Mass residency | None | None | $400 | Apply |
| Veterans | 22B | Loss of two limbs or both eyes | Mass resident 6 months prior to service or 5 years Mass residency | None | None | $1250 | Apply |
| Veterans | 22C | Disability requires specially adapted housing | Mass resident 6 months prior to service or 5 years Mass residency | None | None | $1500 | Apply |
| Veterans | 22D | Death of veteran due to combat or combat injury/disease, or MIA | Surviving spouse MA resident for 5 years. Letter of Decision from VA is required | None | None | 100% | Apply |
| Veterans | 22E | 100% disability, file VA certificate annually | Mass resident 6 months prior to service or 5 year Mass residency | None | None | $1000* | Apply |
| Paraplegic Blindness |
8A of 58 22F |
Paraplegic & 100% blindness due to service connected injury | Mass resident 6 months prior to service or Mass residency for 5 years VA certificate | None | None | 100% | Apply |
| Blind | 37A | Legally Blind | Yearly blind certificate | None | None | $500 | Apply |
| Tax Deferral | 41A | Age 65 or Older, tax deferred 2.5% interest per year | Own & Occupy Property for 5 years | $86,000 | None | Defers Up to 100% | Apply |
| Elderly | 41C | Age 65 or older | Own / Occupy 5 yrs. in MA & MA resident 10 yrs. | (S)$21,970 (M)$32,954 | (S)$43,938 (M)$60,415 | $1000 | Apply |
| Senior Work-off | 5K | Over 60 | Somerville resident | Contact Council on Aging | None | Up to $1,500 | |
| Residential Exemption | 5C | Own & occupy Somerville home as your principal domicile on previous January 1 | None-no age or income restrictions. Documentation of residency required. | None | None | To Be Determined (amount changes each year) | Apply |
| Community Preservation Act (CPA) Exemption | Chapter 44B | See income limits | See income limits | Depends on age and household size. See full listing here. | None | If qualified, exempts all of CPA surcharge. | Apply |
The qualifying date for the Clause Exemptions Is July 1, (each year). Questions can be addressed to Assessing at 617-625-6600 ext. 3100.
The application deadline is three months from the date the Third Quarter Bill was mailed.