Senior Work Credit Program

Adopted in Groton by a vote of Town Meeting on October 16, 2000. The Town of Groton Program operates under the criteria set forth in MGL Chapter 59, Section 5K. The Senior Tax Work-Off Program allows eligible seniors to work in Town Departments and receive in exchange, an abatement on their property taxes. The Board of Selectmen is responsible for establishing criteria specific to Groton. In December 2022, the Select Board approved an increase of the maximum abatement in the Senior Work-Off Program to $1000, which would require 66 hours.

1. 1. Age – Taxpayers must be age 60 or older to participate in the program.
   2. Ownership – Taxpayers must own and occupy the property on which the tax to be abated is assessed as of July 1st.
   3. Hourly Rate – In Groton, we have set the hourly rate per MGL at the maximum or state minimum wage.
   4. Dates – The application period established by the Board of Assessors is the month of October. The hours are to be worked from December 1st though November 30th of the following year. The abatement is applied to the actual tax bill which is the third quarter of the fiscal year.
   5. Selection Process – If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of slots available, preference will be given to those in greatest financial need.

The applications and supporting documentation are not open to public inspection and will be used only  for the purposes described herein.

The Assessors Office will view the Federal 1040 form to verify income reported on the application and then return the 1040 to the taxpayer.

No Federal 1040 forms will be copied or held in the Assessors Office.

Senior Work Credit Program Application can be obtained at the Assessors Office.

Applications are required annually in the month of October.