SPRINGFIELD — With the tax bill for the average Springfield homeowner on the rise, city officials this week urged taxpayers to pursue exemptions and other relief.
In a joint news release, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and city council President Marcus Williams said eligible residents and businesses can seek “relief and assistance through a variety of options,” ranging from property tax exemptions from the assessors office to federal COVID-19 aid under city’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act.
Sarno said he, Williams and assessors chairman Patrick Greenhalgh “would like to encourage our residents to take advantage of any and all tax relief measures that might be available either locally or from the state.”
On Tuesday, the city council approved tax rates for fiscal 2022 that will result in a $216 annual increase in the bill for the average single-family home. Although the tax rates are decreasing, property values in the city have increased.
The residential tax rate was set at $18.82 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, a decrease of 8 cents from fiscal 2021, and the commercial tax rate was set at $39.04 per $1,000 of assessed value, a decrease of 19 cents.
Councilors said they were concerned about the rise in taxes, and some members urged the city to do more to publicize exemptions, COVID-19 assistance and other relief programs.
Sarno and Williams said there are homeowner personal exemption applications and property overvalue applications that can bring some relief.
The deadline for the personal exemption applications is April 1, under state law, and includes some income qualifications for various groups including: age 70 and over, widow or widower, veterans, blind and senior tax deferral. The applications can be discussed in person at the assessors office at city hall or by phone at 413-886-5256.
The overvalue applications are due by Feb. 1 and can be used to appeal the fair market value of a person’s property. The applications are available at the assessors office, on its website, or by calling the Citizens Service Center at 311, officials said.
Williams said he and the council urge residents to check if they qualify for an exemption and to spread the information to others.
Greenhalgh said hundreds of households receive the relief annually.
“We want to make sure that all qualifying persons are aware of the due dates, and how they might qualify,” Greenhalgh said.
He said there is a Mass Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit, which is available from the state Department of Revenue when residents file their state income tax return. The tax credit is for seniors 65 and older by Jan. 1, 2022, who meet income guidelines, officials said.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to seek relief through the city’s American Rescue Plan Act request for proposals program. The federal funds are available to provide relief for small businesses, new businesses, nonprofits, households and senior citizens. Details and guidelines are available on the city’s ARPA website, at city hall, the municipal building on Tapley Street or at any library branch.
The mayor said he and his ARPA team met with nearly 30 neighborhood councils and organizations earlier this year to hear directly from them about their needs and ideas on funding priorities. Additional community meetings are planned, said Sarno and city council finance committee Chairwoman Tracye Whitfield.
Sarno and Williams also encouraged residents in need of mortgage, rent or utility assistance to reach out to Way Finders in Springfield. The organization has assisted more than 6,700 households in the region, distributing approximately $33.7 million between March of 2020 and July 2021, city officials said. The aid, which continues to be offered, was provided through a combination of emergency financial assistance under several programs funded by federal, state, and city sources, officials said. The city contributed $2 million in grant funding to assist with the Way Finders program.
Emergency assistance applications are available on the Way Finders website or by calling 413-233-1600.
“Thousands of households lost income over the last 18 months due to the pandemic,” Sarno said. “I want them to know that there is help available to pay overdue housing costs and remain in their homes, but the time to apply for assistance is now.”
Williams said the aid is much needed, “and will help individuals and families in need that have fallen on hard times stay in their homes.”
The city council and administration “will continue to support and push these relief and assistance initiatives and programs forward so that our residents and businesses can take advantage and benefit from them,” Williams said.
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