Subscribe to our free, daily publication for all your Westford news.
The following was posted on the town’s website by Tax Collector Christine Collins.
“Tax Collector Year End Information
‘Tis the Season for Tax-Deductible Giving
Income tax season is right around the corner. Are you looking for a good cause to boost your charitable giving this year? Did you know that there are three very worthy causes here in Westford to which you can make a tax-deductible donation that will benefit your neighbors? The back of every tax bill has a giving form printed on it for donations to these three local funds, but you can give any amount at any time even without the form and can even make donations through our online bill pay system.
Tax Relief for the Elderly & Disabled, also known as the TREAD program, is overseen by a volunteer committee. Applications are taken at the Senior Center and reviewed by the committee. The funds are distributed to elderly and disabled residents in need of help. This is a worthy cause and your donations make a big impact in the lives of those who are helped.
The Tax Collector’s Scholarship Fund is intended to provide resources to all in our community for job training and educational opportunities. The fund benefits students and adult residents.
The Arts & Technology Fund provides for innovative initiatives to enrich and advance current and future programs for Westford students.
If you would like to donate, please make your check payable to Town of Westford and mail it to the Tax Collector’s Office, 55 Main Street, Westford, MA 01886. Please be sure to indicate which fund you would like your donation to be deposited into. We will send a receipt for your tax records.
Instructions for looking up calendar year 2017 tax payments:
Go to www.WESTFORDMA.GOV
Select the PAY AND LOOK UP BILLS icon on the home page
Select LOOK UP TAX BILLS on the right side of the page
Enter your parcel ID* with no spaces and no dashes and enter
Once you enter your parcel ID, a list of all the tax years on record will appear. For Calendar Year 2017 tax payments, you will need to look up 2 payments from Fiscal Year 2017 and 2 from Fiscal Year 2018.
FY2017 2-1-17 Payment $_____________
FY2017 5-1-17 Payment $_____________
FY2018 8-1-17 Payment $_____________
FY2018 11-1-17 Payment $_____________
Total Calendar Year 2017 $______________
*Note: The 11-digit Parcel ID can be found on your tax bill, or if you do not have your bill, you can find it in the Property Look Up Tools by entering your address. Select Property Look Up from the home page.
Can I Pre-Pay Real Estate Tax Payments for 2018 in 2017?
Yes, you can pre-pay your real estate tax bills for February and May 2018 installments before Dec. 31 if you want to do that for any reason. The bill file is available to view now on the website, www.westfordma.gov. Tax bills will be mailed Dec. 26. Payments can be made now. Mail your payment with a note describing how you would like it applied. Tax Collector, 55 Main St. Westford, MA 01886. Please do not send a payment that is more than the February and May installments due. We would have to return it to you.
Tax Relief Programs for Qualifying Westford Applicants
Local Real Estate Tax Programs (benefit amounts vary):
Program Age Income Limit Asset Limit Contact
Clause 17D 70+ None $64,260 Assessors
Clause 41C 70+ $27,333 Single $54,897 Single Assessors
$41,001 Married $75,483 Married Assessors
Disabled Veterans N/A None None Assessors
Blind Cl 37A N/A None None Assessors
CPA Exemptions 60+ $67,384 Single None Assessors
$77,010 Joint None Assessors
CPA Low Income N/A $53,907 Single None Assessors
N/A $61,608 Joint None Assessors
Tax Deferral Cl 41A 65+ $57,000 None Assessors
TREAD Disabled Any Age
Elderly 65+ Based on need Senior Center
Tax Work Program 60+ None None Senior Center Veterans Tax Work N/A None None Senior Center
Note: Board of Assessors phone number is 978-692-5504, Senior Center is 978-399-2326
State of Massachusetts Tax Circuit Breaker Program – Age 65 and Over
Would you like to get a check for up to $1,070 in your mail box? Even if you do not pay Massachusetts state taxes, or if your income is below the state Income Tax filing limit, you may still be eligible to receive a Massachusetts Circuit Breaker Tax Credit. Please don’t leave this money in the state’s pocket book. If you qualify, it belongs to you. Income limits are more generous than most other programs. Circuit Breaker is intended to aid senior citizens who pay more than 10 percent of their income in real estate taxes. But even renters can apply under certain circumstances. Qualifying seniors may file for up to three years of back credits. For more information, please visit the state’s website, www.mass.gov/dor, contact a tax professional, or inquire at the Senior Center 978-399-2326.”
