Boston, MA Real Estate tax exemption for owner occupied residence

[kenkud]

Boston, MA provides a real estate exemption for owner occupied homes.  Is this considered an "Adjustment(s) to real estate taxes" which is asked in  the state tax section of Turbo Tax?

[RaifH]

No, you do not claim the exemption on your state taxes. The Boston property tax exemption must be filed with the city online, by mail, or in person to reduce the property taxes owed. It is not done through your income tax return. To qualify for the exemption for 2022, it must be filed by April 1, 2022. 

[kenkud]

Thanks for your response. I have already been getting the Boston residential exemption which reduces the assesses value of my home.  I was questioning if that deduction needed to be provided in Turbo Tax question in state tax section dealing with exemptions and and other reductions to real estate taxes.

[RaifH]

No, this does not need to be reported in the state section in TurboTax. Since you have already been approved for the exemption and are paying a lower property tax due to the lower assessed value of your home, your property taxes paid are already reported at their lower amount. This can impact your federal return if you are itemizing your deductions, or your state return if you are eligible for the Circuit Breaker Credit.