Eastham could apply property tax breaks to year-round homes

Eastham would provide a residential property tax exemption after approval by the town’s board of selectmen. The exemption would cover a taxpayer’s principal home, a home rented year-round to an Eastham resident, or up to two units in a qualifying multi-unit property. The exemption could be up to 35 percent of the average assessed value of Eastham’s residential properties, unless the Legislature sets another maximum. The select board could set and revise rules for deciding who qualifies as an Eastham resident. The exemption would be added to other allowed exemptions, but taxable value generally could not fall below 10 percent of the property’s full cash value. A taxpayer who believes the exemption was wrongly denied could apply in writing to the Board of Assessors. A taxpayer would have to apply by April 1 of the tax year or within three months after the tax bill or assessment notice was sent, whichever is later.