Belchertown simplifies veteran tax work-off program

Veterans who own homes in Belchertown now have a simpler way to reduce their property tax bills under changes announced by the Town of Belchertown on Oct. 19.

On Oct. 5, the Select Board approved splitting the existing Tax Work-Off Program into two separate programs, one for seniors and one for veterans. The program was created at the 2025 Annual Town Meeting and had been built mostly around seniors. The changes for veterans were proposed by Director of Veterans' Services Dustin Ruby.

Under the new Veteran Tax Work-Off Program, applicants will not be asked for income, asset, bank, pension, Social Security or tax-return documents. Veterans will apply directly through the Veterans Services Office rather than the Senior Center, with volunteer assignments tied to veteran service, such as cleaning headstones and memorials, placing grave flags, supporting Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances, outreach mailings and researching Belchertown's military history. Administrative and event support roles are also available.

Eligible applicants include a veteran as defined by Massachusetts law, or the spouse of a veteran who has died or has a service-connected disability. Applicants must be the assessed owner of the property and must have owned and occupied it as their primary residence for at least the past two years.

Participants earn $15 an hour, up to $1,000 per program year, applied to their property tax bill. The abatement is not counted as income for state tax purposes, but federal payroll deductions and a required 7.5% contribution to OBRA, a retirement plan for temporary municipal employees, do apply. Because of those deductions, a full $1,000 abatement typically results in a credit of about $810 on the tax bill.

Veterans and seniors share 10 program slots each year. Applications received by Oct. 31 will be reviewed first, though later applications may be considered if volunteer opportunities remain.

Completed applications, including a copy of the veteran's DD214, a recent Belchertown property tax bill and a resume or brief work history, should be submitted to the Veterans Services Office at 4 Berkshire Avenue. Questions can be directed to Ruby at DRuby@belchertown.org or 413-323-0409.

Source: Town of Belchertown announcement, October 19, 2026.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the original announcement.