Medfield COA Tax Work-Off Program Abbreviated Season June 2021

The following provided by Medfield Council on Aging.

Medfield Council on Aging Tax Work-Off Program Abbreviated Season June 2021

The ongoing Tax Work-Off Program administered by the Council on Aging will be accepting applications starting on May 3, 2021 with the deadline for submission by May 18, 2021.

Since we will only have 30 available positions available, a lottery is expected. Names will be drawn at the COA board meeting on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Participants will be able to start their hours immediately.

The town voted in 2018 to increase the benefit for Tax Work-off volunteers to allow persons over 60 to receive a reduction in their real estate tax obligation in the amount of $1000.00 per fiscal year in exchange for volunteering 78 hours in various town departments. However, due to the pandemic, this will be a shortened time period. The reduction will be $500.00 in exchange for volunteering 37 hours to be completed by October 15th.

The exemption is taxable as Federal wages. The applicant will receive a W-2 for income earned less OBRA, Medicare and applicable taxes. However they will not receive a paycheck; the net amount earned will be credited to the applicant’s third and fourth quarter real estate tax bills, as a reduction in taxes.

The senior will need the W-2 to submit with their tax forms. The (OBRA) deduction is in lieu of a social security deduction and is mandatory. However, the applicant can file to get this money returned to them only if they do not intend to participate in the future.

If the applicant previously filled out the payroll tax forms, they will not need to fill out the paperwork again. New applicants will be required to fill out the forms in order to participate in the program.

We are grateful that the Town continues to support the program particularly in these difficult times.

The Senior Tax Work-Off program has been successful in many ways, making it a win-win situation for the senior, the department and the town by the following:

• Offering seniors the chance to reduce their tax obligation.
• Workloads within many Town departments are reduced because they are staffed with skilled, dependable senior volunteers.
• Allows seniors the chance to put their skills to good use.
• Assists some seniors with opportunities for socialization and a sense of purpose

This is a reminder that the applications will be available beginning Monday May 3, 2021 and should be returned to the COA by Tuesday May 18, 2021. If applications exceed the 30 person limit, a lottery will be held on Wednesday May 19, 2021 during a special COA board meeting, 10:00 am, over Zoom. This is an open meeting and all applicants are invited to attend. The Zoom link is available on the Town website.

Any questions regarding this program can be directed to Susan Bernstein at 508-359-3665.