Senior Means-Tested Tax Exemption

*NEW FOR FY26* Carlisle will match 100 percent of the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit received by Carlisle residents!

The Circuit Breaker Tax Credit is a state income tax credit for certain Massachusetts residents age 65 or older whose property tax payments, together with water and sewer expenses, exceed 10% of their total Massachusetts income for the tax year. 

At the 2023 Annual Town Meeting, residents approved a home rule petition to establish a Senior Means-Tested Exemption. Representative Cataldo filed the bill on April 9, 2024, and it was signed into law on December 19, 2024. The Assessor’s Office is pleased to announce that applications will be accepted starting July 7, 2025.

The purpose of this new program is to enable lower-income seniors to remain in Carlisle by increasing the affordability of their residences.[1] 

[1] 2023 ATM Warrant, Article 17 Summary by COAHS

See below for the eligibility and qualification requirements:

Click Here to open the application for the Means-Tested Senior Exemption.

Exemption Eligibility and Qualification Requirements

AGE

  • Applicant/Owner must be 70 years of age or older as of December 31, 2024.
  • Joint Applicant/Co-owner must be 65 years of age or older, if applicable.

RESIDENCY

  • The applicant and/or joint applicant must have owned and occupied a residence in Carlisle for a minimum of 10 consecutive years prior to applying.

ASSESSED VALUATION

  • The Assessed Value of the qualifying property cannot exceed the limit set to qualify for the Circuit Breaker Income Tax Credit, annually adjusted by the Department of Revenue.
    • For Tax Year 2024, the Assessed Value limit is $1,172,000.

INCOME


Income cannot exceed the limits established by the State Circuit Breaker Tax Credit (pursuant to M.G.L. Ch 62, Sec. 6(k).  The income limits for the 2024 year are:

  • Single -  $72,000
  • Head of Household -  $91,000
  • Married Filing Jointly - $109,000

Examples of Income include, but not limited to:

  • Retirement benefits (Social Security)

  • Other pensions and retirement allowances

  • Wages, salaries, and other compensation

  • Net profits from business, profession or property rental

  • Interest and dividends

  • Other receipts (rent, capital gains, public assistance, etc.)

ASSETS

  • The total value of all personal assets cannot exceed $500,000, excluding the value of the principal residence.

MA CIRCUIT BREAKER TAX CREDIT

  • The applicant must have qualified for the MA Circuit Breaker Tax Credit on their Massachusetts State Tax Filing.
  • The applicant is not required to have claimed the tax credit but must still provide an executed Schedule CB with their application.

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue has prepared a brief video to explain the Circuit Breaker Tax Credit.


For additional information, please visit the link below or consult your tax professional. 

Mass.gov | Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit

Application and Related Documentation


  1. MTE Exemption Application
  2. Informational Flyer - Means-Tested Exemption
  3. Means-Tested Exemption Qualifications