Barnstable Veterans Can Save $1,500 On Their Property Tax: Here's How

BARNSTABLE, MA — They say the only certainties in life are death and taxes. You can't cheat either, but Barnstable officials recently made it easier for one group of residents to get a little break on their taxes.

Recent changes to Barnstable's tax work-off program have made it possible for eligible veterans to exchange work in the township for an abatement on their property taxes up to $1,500. Eligible seniors still qualify for the program as well.

Director of Finance Mark Milne joined Town Talk host Paula Hersey to explain the program and recent updates.

According to Milne, the town first started the program in 2009 for seniors. They could do work for the town in exchange for up to $750 off their tax bill. This year, the amount they can earn is rising to the $1,500 mark for the first time.

Among the work people who participate in this program can do is helping the town clerk with elections and volunteering with the police department.

The change to the ordinance comes after an update to the general law in the Commonwealth, in addition to a mandatory two-thirds vote of support from the town council, Milne said.

An application for the program is available on the town’s website under Assessing and Human Resources. To see the application, click here.