By Mayor Martin J. Walsh
When I ran for Mayor, I knew I wanted to make Boston a city where every resident can afford to live, work and raise a family. Since I’ve been elected, Boston has grown — fast. Our population is expanding rapidly and we’re expected to reach over 700,000 residents by 2030. Our tech sector is booming, and the construction of our commercial and residential buildings are reaching new heights. While I’m excited about our economic growth, increasing investment and the new jobs arriving in our neighborhoods, we also need to make sure we are meeting the needs of every family in Boston.Over the last three years, I’ve listened to the concerns of families and residents who work and live in Boston, but struggle to cope with the high cost of living. I want to help our middle class homeowners maintain an affordable quality of life in this city.
As Mayor of a diverse, thriving city, it’s my responsibility to make sure all families are represented. Economic diversity and a strong middle class help make Boston a city where everyone can live. In an effort to ease the financial burden on our middle class and family homeowners, the City Council and I have created tax cuts for Boston homeowners.
This proposal increases Boston’s residential property tax exemption for the first time since 2000, and will reduce average property tax bills for single family, owner-occupied residences by $299 per year. In an effort to provide substantial tax relief, it will also increase the residential tax exemption for taxpayers who occupy their homes as their principal residences to 35 percent.
Though this cut was specifically designed to benefit middle- to lower-income earners, the residential exemptions will impact all homeowners who live in the city. Overall, the vast majority of Bostonians’ tax bills will decrease.
This residential tax exemption will exceed $2,000 for the first time, representing an increase of $472 over last year’s amount. Each qualifying homeowner will save $2,435 on their property tax bill by taking the exemption.
Right now Boston is enjoying the benefits of a strong local economy and real estate climate, as well as record tax revenue growth. This is the right time, and the smart time, to provide property tax relief for our middle- and lower-income homeowners.
This tax cut will provide needed tax relief to Boston’s resident-owner households. It will level the playing field in favor of Boston’s middle class, and bring us closer to achieving a better balance between growth and affordability.
I’d like to thank the City Council and State Legislature for passing this proposal, and to all residents who have voiced their opinions and concerns on this issue. We will continue to work together towards a more equitable, economically diverse and affordable Boston.
Forgive me if I’m wrong, didn’t the Mayor support Question 5 to raise property taxes?
Well it sounds like a step in the right direction but between tax increases, assessment increases and you new residential exemption, just wait till the tax bill arrives to see whether it makes a difference.
God Bless Mayor Walsh! I am retired and a homeowner; this really helps!!!!!!!
When is this supposed to be effective?
I believe it’s supposed to be in effect starting with 2018 fiscal year (starting with August 2017 real estate tax bill).
When it’s supposed to be effective is anyone’s guess, as most of the taxes seem to be pretty ineffective, at least as far as everyday life in North End is concerned.
Seeing how mayor’s office can’t come up with rudimentary math to support his claims gives further great evidence of the “effectiveness”. Let’s see here. There are three contradictory numbers in this very letter. $299, $35% and $472. Which is it, Mayor?