O’Connell Announces Tax Relief for Seniors; Proposes Plan to Lower Senior Tax Exemption Age from 70

O'Connell Announces Tax Relief for Seniors; Proposes Plan to Lower Senior Tax Exemption Age from 70 to 65

Taunton, MA - Mayor Shaunna O'Connell announced a significant step forward in delivering tax relief to Taunton seniors by crafting a proposal for submission to the Taunton City Council to lower the qualifying age for the Senior Tax Exemption from 70 to 65 years old.

This initiative is the result of several months of detailed financial planning and analysis conducted by the City of Taunton's Finance Team to ensure that the proposal is both fiscally responsible and sustainable for the long term.

"Our seniors have spent their lives contributing to our community, and we are always looking for ways to do more for them," said Mayor O'Connell. "Lowering the age threshold for the Senior Tax Exemption will significantly ease the financial burden for our senior residents, many of whom live on fixed incomes. I am proud to submit this plan to the City Council as yet another initiative from my administration to help our seniors."

Other initiatives O'Connell has implemented to help seniors include the free trash bag program for all seniors age 65 and over, creation of the Helping Hand Fund, and expansion of the tax deferral program to allow seniors to stay in their homes.

In 2021, the O'Connell administration doubled the Senior Tax Exemption from $500 to $1,000, delivering significant financial relief to eligible residents. If the new initiative to lower the qualifying age to 65 is approved, Taunton will become the only Gateway City in Bristol County to offer a $1,000 property tax exemption at the reduced age-setting a new standard for senior support statewide.

The proposed change reflects O'Connell's ongoing commitment to supporting seniors while maintaining strong fiscal stewardship. If approved, the new age threshold would take effect in Fiscal Year 2027.

Mayor O'Connell extended her gratitude to City Councilor Phillip Duarte and the City's Finance Team for their hard work and dedication in thoroughly vetting this initiative and preparing the proposal. "This is a thoughtful, data-driven plan that balances compassion with financial responsibility," she said.

"As the Chair of the City Council's Finance and Salaries Committee, I have been working closely with Mayor O'Connell, CFO Dello Russo, and our finance team for months to thoroughly evaluate this proposal to reduce the qualifying age for the Senior Tax Exemption from 70 to 65 and create a path forward to provide this much-needed relief to our seniors on fixed incomes, while also ensuring that it is done in both a fiscally responsible and sustainable way. I am proud of the collaborative effort that brought us to this point, and I look forward to the adoption of this proposal by the City Council," said City Councilor Phillip Duarte.

The City's Finance Team carefully evaluates all proposals that impact the City's budget and allocation of financial resources. "Our goal was to find a solution that provides meaningful relief to seniors while maintaining the City's financial stability," said Chief Financial Officer Patrick Dello Russo. "After a thorough review of our revenue projections and careful planning, we are confident that lowering the age for the Senior Tax Exemption to 65 can be both affordable short-term and sustainable long-term."

The proposal will be presented for discussion at the upcoming City Council meeting on July 22, 2025. ###