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Revised 5/08/2025 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts City of Salem Name of City or Town SENIOR TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM (STEP) FISCAL YEAR 2026 APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION THIS APPLICATION IS NOT OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION (See General Laws Chapter 44B, § 3 and Chapter 59, § 60) Return to: Board of Assessors 93 Washington Street – Room 6 Salem, MA 01970 Tel: (978) 619-5618 Fax: (978) 744-2069 Email: [EMAIL REDACTED] Please attach a copy of your entire State Income Tax Filing - Schedule CB, and a copy of a valid Massachusetts I.D. with this application. The application must be received by the Assessor’s Office by April 1, 2026 in order to be eligible. The qualifying real property is owned and occupied by the single or joint applicants as their domicile . For properties held in a trust, the applicant must be the beneficiary and the trustee. You, or at least one joint applicant, must have owned and occupied a home in Salem as your principal residence for the past 10 consecutive years. You must have filed a 20 24 Massachusetts State Tax Form Schedule CB (Circuit Breaker) . Applicant is 65 by the close of the previous year (joint applicant is at least 60) . This reduction shall not be in addition to any exemption allowable under the General Laws . Applicant(s) name: Property address: Home phone: phone: Email address: Applicant age: Date of birth: Joint applicant age: of Birth: Assessed property valuation (Fiscal Year 2026): No. of How long have you owned this property? If less than 10 years, list prior property location: Is the property subject to a trust as of January 1: NO YES (attach trust instrument including all schedules) Do you own any other real estate: NO YES, location: Have you been granted an exemption in any other city/town? NO YES, location: Circuit Breaker Income Tax Credit Amount: Applicant Signature under the pains and penalties of perjury: ASSESSORS’ USE ONLY Parcel ID: Amount: ---PAGE BREAK--- Overview of the Circuit Breaker Credit from the State of Massachusetts As a senior citizen (65 or older by December 31 of the tax year), you may be eligible to claim a refundable credit on your Massachusetts personal income tax return. The Circuit Breaker tax credit is based on the actual real estate taxes paid on the Massachusetts residential property you own or rent and occupy as your principal residence. The maximum credit amount for tax year 2024 is $2,730. Who is eligible You must be a Massachusetts resident. You must be 65 or older by December 31 of the tax year. You must file a Schedule CB with your Massachusetts personal income tax return. You must own a residential property in Massachusetts and occupy it as your primary residence. For tax year 2024, your total Massachusetts income doesn't exceed: o $72,000 for a single individual who is not the head of a household. o $91,000 for a head of household. o $109,000 for married couples filing a joint return. If you are a homeowner, your Massachusetts property tax payments, together with half of your water and sewer expense, must exceed 10% of your total Massachusetts income for the tax year. The assessed valuation of the homeowner's personal residence as of January 1, 2024, before residential exemptions but after abatements, cannot exceed $1,172,000. The Schedule CB must be completed within 3 years from the last day for filing the return, without regard to any extension of time to file. Who isn't eligible You are a nonresident. You are married and your status is married filing separately. You are a dependent of another taxpayer. You receive a federal and/or state rent subsidy or you rent from a tax-exempt entity. For tax year 2024, the assessed value of principal residence exceeds $1,172,000. If you did not complete a Schedule CB within 3 years from the last day for filing the return, without regard to any extension of time to file. For Internal Use Only BOARD OF ASSESSORS GRANTED DENIED Date Voted: Reason: