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Haverhill assessor reviews homeowner tax-abatement options ahead of April 1 deadline
Summary
City Assessor Christine Webb outlined income-, asset- and service-related exemptions available to homeowners, reminded residents the annual application deadline is April 1 and answered councilors' questions on local enhancements the council can enact.
City Assessor Christine Webb told the Haverhill City Council on March 11 that a range of homeowner tax exemptions are available for 2024 and urged eligible residents to apply by April 1.
Webb, introduced by Vice President Timothy Jordan, said Haverhill offers exemptions based on low income and low assets, an exemption for people who are legally blind and service-related disabled veteran exemptions requiring a DD-214 and a disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs. She said the city voted in fiscal 2023 to provide an additional 40% above the state base exemption amounts.
"In Haverhill we offer several homeowners tax exemptions," Webb said. "All exemptions require a yearly application with 2024 information. This exemption is based on the homeowner having lower income and lower assets." She added that the city can mail applications and that forms are available on the assessor's page of the City of Haverhill website.
Councilors pressed Webb on what the council can change locally. Webb said the city can alter eligibility elements authorized under state law — for example lowering the age threshold from 70 to 65 under Clause 41C, increasing the local supplement above the state base (the council currently provides 40% above the state amount) and adjusting income and asset caps. She also noted the senior work-off program exists but has been largely dormant since COVID.
Webb provided usage numbers: for fiscal 2024, about 549 households used exemptions; she said many were veterans and roughly 200 or so were widows, widowers or households age 70 or older.
Resident Mike Morales urged the council to consider more generous changes, citing Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 59, section 5, clause 41, and asked the council to reduce residency requirements and raise income and asset thresholds to reach more seniors. Morales said the changes would help seniors on fixed incomes avoid being forced from their homes.
Councilors said they will consider the options during the upcoming budget season and asked the assessor to share comparative data showing Haverhill's tax burden relative to other Essex County communities. Vice President Jordan noted Haverhill remains, by his figures, the second-lowest average tax bill among the county's 35 municipalities despite last year's increases.
Webb closed by reiterating application steps and the April 1 deadline. She provided an assessor's email and phone number for residents seeking help filing forms.
