What Is a Senior Citizen Tax Work-Off for Property Taxes?

There’s a trend taking shape across the country. Seniors are working off part or all of their property tax bills.

Some jurisdictions, like Pennsylvania, have passed laws to encourage local tax collectors to set up work-off initiatives in their cities or counties. In other cases, a school district might set up these programs on their own.

Heads Up, Deed Holders in Massachusetts!

Massachusetts is just one state whose local tax offices may choose to offer these initiatives — and they do, in Boston and elsewhere. In the town of Shrewsbury, for example, the Senior Citizen Tax Work-Off Program for 2025 is open to deed holders (or their spouses) aged 60+. This year’s program starts March 1^st, and runs through October. The town interviews applicants to match them with tasks. Successful applicants work at least 133.3 hours to receive their tax breaks.

What’s the break for a Shrewsbury household? A $2000 property tax credit for the prior year! Apply now for positions to be assigned in February.

Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania…

The Avon Grove School District in southeastern Pennsylvania recommends the work as a way of keeping older residents tuned into the activities in school offices, classrooms, and lunch rooms. Couples can apply together, and more than 100 volunteers turn up each year. 

Now here’s one for deed holders in the West Chester Area School District in Pennsylvania. The Senior Tax Reduction Incentive Volunteer Exchange Program, STRIVE, lets deed holders aged 60+ earn discounts on their real estate taxes. In return for contributions to the community, receive $8 an hour for a total tax break up to $560. West Chester has its rules and conditions:

• Applicants must submit a Tax Parcel Number, a copy of their Social Security card, and new tuberculin test results.

• Background checks are mandatory —  repeated every five years, for anyone who potentially has unsupervised contact with students.

Every January, a volunteer coordinator gives the real estate tax department a list of successful contributors from the program during the prior year. Rebates go out in February.

Notably, Chester County (of which West Chester is the county seat) offers property tax rebates to its volunteer fire teams and emergency medical technicians.

Dorchester County, South Carolina Steps Up for Seniors

In Dorchester County, South Carolina, some elders on fixed incomes are just getting by. Those who want to hold onto their deeds and age in place may want to know about the senior tax break.

AARP points to one such deed holder. The resident of the county, located in the suburbs of Charleston, clocked about 50 hours in 2024, fielding public questions for the county’s HR office. This resident earned a $400 tax break.

San Antonio Joins the Party

In Texas, the San Antonio SAVES pilot program lets up to 300 older deed holders take $400 off their property taxes. They can do volunteer work with other seniors or at community centers, and the like.

There may be opportunities for multiple generations in households to work together or carry out work on behalf of an elder homeowner. The City Council is still fine-tuning its initiative.

Still More to Come…

Colorado, Maine, and Washington State all have encouraged older adults to volunteer for tax breaks. The tax breaks are usually offered in addition to homestead exemptions and/or other tax discounts.

Maine began doing this back in 2007. Now, more than 200 households participate. Some states, like Colorado, have just a few school districts involved, but more could always set up a program.

Have you checked out the senior tax breaks in your state?

Note: For information on income tax implications of tax breaks, consult your tax expert.