Wrentham officials are asking residents to donate to a fund that helps elderly and disabled homeowners cover their property tax bills. Kathy Nelson, the town's treasurer/collector, said the town is currently seeking donations to the fund.

Nelson serves as an ex-officio member of the Wrentham Elderly and Disabled Tax Aid Committee, which oversees the fund. The program is known as the Wrentham Neighbors Fund.

How the fund works

Eligible elderly and disabled Wrentham residents can apply to the fund to offset their Wrentham real estate tax bill. The fund does not apply to taxes in Norfolk or other neighboring towns.

The committee was created after Wrentham's Annual Town Meeting voted in June 2014 to accept a state law, Massachusetts General Law Chapter 60, Section 3D. That law lets cities and towns set up local funds to collect donations for tax relief for qualifying seniors and disabled taxpayers.

The fund is built entirely from donations. It does not draw on tax revenue. Because the fund depends on how much residents give, the amount available to distribute changes from year to year.

Awards are based on need, as determined by the committee.

Who can apply

Applicants must be at least 65 years old or disabled and must own and live in the home as their primary residence.

Annual gross household income must fall below set limits that rise with household size: $44,000 for one person, $60,000 for two people, $75,000 for three people, and $91,000 for four people.

Applications will be available starting September 1, 2026, at the Assessor's Office and the Senior Center.

Raising money

To build up the fund, the town added a donation slip to this year's real estate tax bills, which were mailed to residents, Nelson said.

Residents can give by check, made payable to the Town of Wrentham with "Wrentham Neighbors Fund" written in the memo line, or online at wrentham.gov, under Online Payments. Questions about the fund can be sent to [email protected].

Nelson also shared that the committee plans to set up a table at Wrentham Day on Saturday, September 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the town common.

Other property tax relief options

The Neighbors Fund is separate from a set of property tax exemptions and deferrals available to seniors, veterans, the blind, and surviving spouses. Those programs are authorized under Section 5 of Chapter 59 of the Massachusetts General Laws and are not dependent on donations.

According to the Board of Assessors, these are the relevant tax exemption and deferral categories:

The application deadline for these exemptions and deferrals is April 1, 2027. Residents with questions can call the Board of Assessors at 508-384-5408.