ACTON — The Town of Acton is pleased to announce that Acton Special Town Meeting voters unanimously supported additional tax exemptions for veterans established by the Act Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing Our Servicemembers and Veterans — the HERO Act.
Gov. Maura Healey signed the HERO Act into law on Aug. 2. This landmark legislation is designed to provide significant support and benefits to veterans in the state. At the Special Town Meeting held on Nov. 25, voters unanimously accepted the Act’s provisions.
“This is just one of many improvements made to state veterans benefits under the HERO Act,” said James MacRae, Acton Boxborough Veterans Services District Director. “Massachusetts continues to lead the nation for state veteran benefits; realizing the need to increase property tax exemptions was long overdue.”
As a result of the vote, exemptions for veterans will remain consistent with inflation in the same way as several other means-tested and senior tax exemptions. Due to the annual July 1 qualification date, the earliest this can be implemented is Fiscal Year 2026 tax bills.
In most cases, a surviving spouse receives the exemption if they were receiving it before the veteran passed away. However, surviving spouses receiving exemption under Clauses 22 and 22D lose the exemption upon remarriage.
“The Board of Assessors and Assessing Department are honored to play a part in facilitating this step toward ensuring that disabled veterans receive well-deserved property tax exemptions that increase with the cost of living,” said CJ Carrol, Principal Assessor. “We are always here to help, so if you or anyone you know may qualify for this or any other property tax exemptions, please reach out to the Assessing Department.”
The Town of Acton offers several tax exemptions to veterans, and veterans with service-connected disabilities. Those interested in learning more may visit the Assessor’s Office webpage, call the Assessor’s Office at 978-929-6621, or call the Veteran Services Officer at 978-929-6614.
“I was so moved at Town Meeting that the residents of the Town of Acton gave the green light to ensure that tax exemptions for Veterans remain consistent with inflation in the same way that other town means-tested and senior tax exemptions do,” said Fran Arsenault, Acton Select Board Chair. “This is one important way to recognize our Veterans for their service and sacrifice.”
More information about the HERO Act and its benefits can be found here.
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