US EditionMass. Senate passes bill to address ‘shock’ of rising property tax bills
Senate approved tax relief allowing local rebates for homeowners facing over 10% residential property tax hikes, rejecting Boston's plan to shift more taxes onto commercial properties.
- On Jan. 15, 2026, at the State House in Boston, the Massachusetts Senate advanced a property tax relief package and formally rebuked Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's tax-shift plan, sending the bills to the House.
- Rising residential values and falling commercial assessments show Boston homeowners faced tax hikes over $500 in 2025 and expect increases above $700 in 2026 amid remote work and empty downtown offices.
- The rejected proposal would have allowed Boston to shift tax classifications temporarily in fiscal years 2027–2029 with caps of 181.5%, 180%, and 178%.
- Senators approved alternative relief measures that allow targeted rebates, credits and looser senior deferment rules, requiring municipalities to fund them; the package now moves to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
- Amid escalating tensions between Mayor Michelle Wu and Senate leadership, the Senate's first formal rejection of Wu's plan heightens conflict as the bill moves to a House more receptive to her proposal.
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Mass. Senate passes bill to address ‘shock’ of rising property tax bills
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, Jan. 15, 2026.....In the showdown over local property taxes, the Senate on Thursday advanced a relief bill and delivered a formal rebuke to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s tax shift plan.Senators voted 37-1 to pass the so-called tax shock bill and rejected an amendment that mirrored Wu’s home rule petition on a 33-5 vote. The majority of the Boston delegation supported the amendment.
Senator Collins’ Tax Relief Legislation Wins Ways & Means Approval
Property Tax Relief Package Moves to Senate Floor for Vote Thursday The Massachusetts Senate’s Committee on Ways and Means voted last week to advance bipartisan property tax relief measures, including An Act Relative Municipal Property Tax Relief, authored by Senator Nick Collins. This legislation would provide cities and towns the authority to issue direct rebates to homeowners by tapping [...] The post Senator Collins’ Tax Relief Legislation W…
In the local property tax confrontation, the Massachusetts Senate passed a tax relief bill on Thursday and issued a formal reprimand to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s tax redistribution plan. Senators voted 37-1 in favor of the so-called tax impact bill and rejected an amendment that replicated Wu’s local autonomy petition with a 33-5 vote. The majority of the Boston delegation supported the amendment.
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