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Finance committee adopts voluntary motor-vehicle excise checkoff to fund aid for low-income elderly and disabled
Summary
The committee voted to adopt M.G.L. c.60 §3D to establish a voluntary checkoff on motor-vehicle excise tax bills to create a fund for defraying real-estate taxes of low-income elderly and disabled residents, setting the effective date as Jan. 1 and directing copies to the assessor and tax collector.
The Holyoke Finance Committee voted to adopt the state provision in Mass. Gen. Laws c.60 §3D to establish a voluntary motor-vehicle excise tax checkoff that will create a fund to help defray real-estate taxes for low-income elderly and disabled residents.
Councilor Linda Bacon read the statutory language into the record, explaining that the law authorizes a municipality, subject to approval from the Commissioner of Revenue, to provide a voluntary checkoff or mailed form allowing taxpayers to donate a designated amount (not less than $1) to an "aid to the elderly and disabled taxation fund." The statute also requires that the fund be held in the treasurer's custody and that a taxation-aid committee be appointed to manage rules, investments and recipient selection.
Solicitor Jeffrey Bissonnette clarified that the "commissioner" referenced in the statute is the Commissioner of Revenue and that the Department of Revenue oversees related forms. Committee members asked whether a local ordinance would be required to establish implementing procedures; Bacon said the committee could adopt the state law now and file a local order later if additional implementing steps were needed.
Committee members set an effective date of Jan. 1 to allow administrative coordination and asked that a copy of the adoption be sent to the chief assessor and tax collector. The motion carried by voice vote.
