Tax Work Off Program

The Town of Blackstone Senior & Veteran Property Tax Work-Off Abatement Program enables eligible seniors and veterans to reduce their property taxes by contributing their time and skills to the Town.  This program seeks to reduce financial burdens for eligible participants and foster community involvement by leveraging the skills and expertise of our senior and veteran residents to enhance the Town’s operations and services.

What is the Senior Tax Work Off Program

Eligibility Requirements

  • Seniors aged 60 or older or Veteran of any age as of July 1 of the year in which the application is made
  • Resident of Blackstone
  • Have resided in the town of Blackstone for at least five years
  • Be current with tax, water, and sewer payments
  • Complete a CORI check and town-mandated physical if necessary
  • Subject to random drug and alcohol testing
  • Town employees are not eligible
  • Veteran eligibility by proof of DD214

Own and occupy the property for which Blackstone taxes are Paid

Taxpayers must be the assessed owner of the property on which the tax to be abated is assessed or have acquired ownership before the work is performed and the abatement applied. If the property is subject to a trust, the senior must have legal title, ie., be one of the trustees on the applicable January 1st assessment date, or at the time the work is performed.

Selection Process

  • Applicants must meet eligibility requirements
  • Applicant must have appropriate skills for the position
  • The applicant must complete all application components, including a W4 and I-9 with identification backup

Benefit Limits

  • The Town of Blackstone allows participants to earn the maximum abatement per homeowner allowed by the State of Massachusetts
  • In no case shall an applicant's tax reductions be in excess of taxes owe in a given year
  • Level of Town appropriation will determine the maximum number of participants

Treatment of "Earned" Amount

The amount of the property tax reduction earned by the taxpayer under this program is not considered income or wages for purposes of state income tax withholding, unemployment compensation, or workmen's compensation. However, the United States Internal Revenue Services (IRS) has ruled that under current federal law that the abatement amount is included in the taxpayer's gross income for both federal income tax and Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) tax purposes.

Job Placement

  • Job placement opportunities are dependent on the current needs of the various Town departments including: Town Hall, Senior Center, Library, Historical Society, Clerks Office, and other department depending on their needs
  • Applicants will be interviewed by the Department Heads before approval is complete to determine skills and qualifications for available positions
  • Available positions will be determined by department heads

Term of Program

  • Program runs from December 1st of one year through November 1st each year
  • Abatement credit is divided between the 3rd and 4th quarter tax bills of the year following work off completion
  • All applications and all forms must be completed and submitted to the Senior Center Director prior to the applicant's position starting date
  • Time sheets must be submitted monthly to supervisor and the Senior Center Director for approval
  • A Certificate of Completion form will be submitted from your supervisor to the Board of Assessors including your total hours and eligible abatement

Termination

Please keep in mind, these positions provide important contributions to the Town and the particular department to which you are assigned. Participants are expected to put forth your best performance and work closely with their particular department head to meet expectations.

Insurance

A senior or veteran working for Tax relief is not considered an employee pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 59, Section 5k, a person over the age of 60 years old or veteran who volunteers their service in exchange for tax relief is not entitled to benefits under Chapter 152. Should an individual be injured while participating in the tax work off program, the individual's health insurance would be primary and coverage for out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. Deductibles) would be covered by the town.

For questions or applications:  please call the Blackstone Senior Center Director at: 508-876-5134

  • Complete Senior/Veteran Property Tax Work-Off Application
  • Individual components of the Senior/Veteran Tax Work Off Application:
    • Information Page
    • Application Page
    • CORI Application Page
    • W-4 Application
    • I-9 Application
    • OBRA Application
    • Conflict of Interest Training and Certification
    • Sample of the Doctor's Note required for participation

Frequently Asked Questions: 

(answered in this video recording at Senior Center)