Boston Council Committee Advances Veterans Property Tax COLA Exemption for FY26

BOSTON — October 22, 2024 — Boston City Council committee advances veterans property tax exemption tied to state HERO Act. The Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Councilor Brian Worrell and joined by Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and Councilor Benjamin J. Weber, held a hearing October 22 on Docket 1303, which would opt Boston into a cost-of-living adjustment for disabled veterans' property tax exemptions starting in fiscal year 2026. Commissioner of Assessment Nick Aranello told the panel that the city already doubles the base exemption — ranging from $400 to $1,500 depending on disability level — under separate existing authority, and that the city granted 1,156 veterans exemptions in FY24 at a total cost of just over $1.1 million. Aranello confirmed the city receives no state reimbursement for the doubled amounts. Commissioner of Veterans Services Santiago said his office's four fully staffed Veterans Benefit Specialists are accredited to process VA claims at no cost to veterans, warning against fee-charging "claim sharks." The committee adjourned the hearing with plans to return formal recommended ordinance language to the full Council.