Government

Any Boston Resident Earning $57K or Less Per Year May Receive Free Tax Prep From City

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April 15th will be here before you know it. With that in mind, the Boston Tax Help Coalition is once again offering free tax preparation for residents earning $57,000 or less per year. The Boston Tax Help Coalition (BTHC) is a partnership of nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations, and the largest program of the Mayor’s Office of Financial Empowerment. BTHC's stated mission, "...is to broaden pathways from poverty to financial empowerment by maximizing the impact of the Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax credits through quality, free tax preparation, financial education and economic stability opportunities." Due to COVID-19, BTHC and community partners are offering both in the community and remote tax help.

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Opinion
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh

Mayor Walsh: Helping Homeowners By Increasing Boston’s Residential Property Tax Exemption

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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.

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Celebrating the reboot of First Thursday Art Walk at 668 Centre St. on Thursday, April 3, 2014.
Opinion

Legislature Passes Balanced Fiscal 2016 Budget

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In early July the Legislature enacted a $38.1 billion state budget for fiscal year 2016. The spending plan prioritizes funding for education, housing assistance, behavioral health, substance abuse, and critical services and programs for our most vulnerable residents in the Commonwealth. The plan includes $4.5 billion for education funding and $18.6 million for kindergarten expansion grants. Funding for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) increased by $17.9 million and will allow for the creation of approximately 764 new mobile vouchers, helping families move from emergency assistance housing to permanent housing. In addition, through sponsored and cosponsored amendments and collaborative efforts with my colleagues, I was able to secure funding for programs that are of utmost importance to me and my constituents.

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Real Estate

Help Could Be on the Way for Seniors With Skyrocketing Property Taxes

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Finally, there's good news for seniors who own their own homes and want to stay in JP. On Tuesday, Mayor Marty Walsh signed a "home rule petition" to give tax deferrals to long-term home owners. It could be part of a solution for some in the battle against rising property costs. So how does this affect qualifying residents of JP? Well, if passed in the state legislature, qualifying long-term homeowners will be able to more easily afford remaining in their homes by deferring property taxes.

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