Now is the time to apply for Stormwater Credits for FY 2025

Stormwater Credits

• Now is the time to apply for stormwater credits! 

Please visit our website https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater-division for more information and to learn why keeping stormwater clean is in everyone's best interest.

• Need to order a rain barrel? 

The Franklin DPW has partnered with the Great American Rain Barrel Company to offer residents rain barrels at a discounted price. The Spring program is open until Sunday, April 7th. To order a rain barrel and for more information about this program, visit: https://www.franklinma.gov/stormwater.../pages/rain-barrels

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/stormwater-credits

Now is the time to apply for Stormwater Credits for FY 2025

CommonWealth Magazine: "Mass. House approves unaltered tax plan"

"THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to pass its $1.1 billion tax relief bill exactly as pitched earlier this week. A provision that would adjust an obscure tax giveback law dominated most of the tax plan debate but ultimately made it through to the final bill unchanged.

The mid-afternoon vote, which approved the package, 150-3, advances a measure that top House Democrats say will bolster the state’s competitiveness and affordability and bring tax rates in line with those in other states. Its top-line features are cuts in the short-term capital gains tax from 12 percent to 5 percent and raising the estate tax exemption from $1 million to $2 million, along with tax deductions targeting parents, caregivers, seniors, and lower income renters. 

“Let’s hope it makes us more competitive and people will hesitate before moving,” House Speaker Ron Mariano said earlier in the week about the tax package. “We don’t want you to leave. We want you to stay here.”

The tax debate will now move to the Senate."

Continue reading the article online at CommonWealth Magazine -> 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/mass-house-approves-unaltered-tax-plan/ 

The legislation text can be found online ->  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H3770

CommonWealth Magazine: "Mass. House approves unaltered tax plan"

Attention Franklin Senior Homeowners - You may be entitled to a $1,000 tax reduction

Attention Franklin Senior Homeowners

You may be entitled to a reduction in the real estate tax you're required to pay this year!  July 2022

You may be entitled to a $1,000 tax reduction if you have been continuously domiciled in Massachusetts for 10 years and have owned and occupied a Massachusetts property for 5 years;

-AND-

You are single,

• Age 70 or older on July 1, 2022,

• Your income last year was $22,837 or less, and

• Your assets (checking, savings, bonds, etc.) not including your home were $37,984 or less.

-OR-

You are married,

• One of you was age 70 or older on July 1, 2022,

• Your income last year was $28,151 or less, and

• Your assets (checking, savings, bonds, etc.) not including your home were $40,696 or less.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you are over an above limit, you may still be entitled to a $369 tax reduction if

you have owned and occupied your Franklin property as your domicile for at least 5 years,

-AND-

Your assets (checking, savings, bonds, etc.) not including your home were $54,262 or less,

-AND-

You are a surviving spouse, any age;

-OR-

If you are single and 70 or older as of July 1, 2022,

-OR-

If you are married and one was age 70 or older July 1, 2022.

If you think you might qualify and need information or assistance in completing the application, call the Franklin Senior Center; 508-520-4945.

Some widows of veterans may be eligible for a tax exemption.

Please contact: Veterans' Services Office at (508) 613-1315

Download a copy of the flyer ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sVFDjglfqtJlBBgBOjVdVsRLZ2-MdfN0/view?usp=share_link

Attention Franklin Senior Homeowners - You may be entitled to a $1,000 tax reduction 

No, that’s not the IRS texting about a tax refund or rebate. It’s a scam.

No, that's not the IRS texting about a tax refund or rebate. It's a scam.  By Gema de las Heras IRS impersonators have been around for a while. But as more people get to know their tricks, they're switching it up.  So instead of contacting you about a tax debt and making threats to get you to pay up, scammers may send you a text about a "tax rebate" or some other tax refund or benefit.  Here's what to know about the new twist. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/11/no-thats-not-irs-texting-about-tax-refund-or-rebate-its-scam

No, that’s not the IRS texting about a tax refund or rebate. It’s a scam

Gov Baker announces tax rebate coming some time

Via Governor Baker:

"Stronger-than expected state tax revenues have led to a major surplus for Fiscal Year 2022, and we are pleased to be able to return nearly $3 billion in excess revenue to the taxpayers. Read more http://bit.ly/3RX14ni Estimate your refund http://mass.gov/62frefunds"

Gov Baker's press release -> https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-details-for-return-of-2941-billion-in-excess-tax-revenue-to-taxpayers

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/MassGovernor/status/1570807319428210690

CommonWealth Magazine coverage -> https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/baker-presses-forward-with-hefty-tax-cap-refunds/

Boston Globe coverage (subscription maybe required) ->   https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/09/16/metro/heres-how-much-money-you-could-get-back-through-new-mass-tax-refund/

Gov Baker announces tax rebate coming some time

CommonWealth Magazine: "Baker administration puts tax cap excess at $2.9b"

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Wednesday filed a $1.6 billion supplemental budget to close the books on fiscal year 2022, proposing another $200 million in aid for the MBTA and setting aside more than $2.9 billion of the state’s surplus to be returned to taxpayers.

The bill (HD 5364) would still leave lawmakers with $1.5 billion of last budget year’s surplus to potentially put towards the Legislature’s own agreed-to tax relief efforts and other spending initiatives that remain bottled up in the stalled economic development bill talks, Baker said.

In its announcement of the supp budget, Baker’s office also said that the Department of Revenue on Wednesday had informed Auditor Suzanne Bump that it believes that $2.941 billion is required to be returned to taxpayers under Chapter 62F, the 1986 voter law that requires excess state tax collections be refunded. If the auditor certifies that amount by her September 20 deadline, Baker’s office said the state will still have a fiscal year 2022 surplus of $2.3 billion — up from the administration estimate of $1.9 billion earlier this month."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/baker-administration-puts-tax-cap-excess-at-2-9b/

The MALegislature site does not yet have the link to the text proposed.

https://malegislature.gov/

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Legislation Filed by the Governor (1):      

Bill #	Bill Title	Action Date
HD5364	An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2022 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects	Filed – 8/31/2022

 

CommonWealth Magazine: "Baker administration puts tax cap excess at $2.9b"

"the 1986 law does spell out the two-year process for returning the money"

"THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION  is preparing to change the rules for returning roughly $3 billion in excess tax collections so the governor can send out checks to Massachusetts taxpayers before he leaves office in January.

But a legal expert, citing a 1987 Supreme Judicial Court decision, says the changes being proposed by Gov. Charlie Baker appear to violate the voter-approved law governing excess tax collections as well as the constitutional prohibition on appropriations in ballot questions.

The governor’s move to change the rules suggests he is eager to return the money to taxpayers as quickly as possible, perhaps to claim credit for returning the money or to return it before the Legislature can take any action to tinker with the law or prevent all of the funds from going out. "

Continue reading the CommonWealth Magazine article online ->

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/baker-changing-rules-on-tax-cap-giveback/

 

Gov. Charlie Baker at a State House press conference. (Pool file photo by Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe)

CommonWealth Magazine: after all the he said/she said, tax credit might be less than Gov Baker claimed

"AS THEIR CAREFULLY crafted plans for tax relief and massive spending outlays began to slip away with last Thursday’s stunning news about a 1986 tax law, frustrated Democrats on Beacon Hill went into spin mode.

First, late Friday afternoon, Rep. Christine Barber of Somerville took to the House floor to suggest that plans by the Baker administration to sweep a $225 million fund may have been part of the administration’s move to trigger the 36-year-old law that the Baker administration a day earlier said could force nearly $3 billion in tax relief later this year, or about 7 percent of the income taxes paid in 2021.

“It’s becoming clear that to cover closing costs for 2022 and to possibly pay for the $2.8 billion that will go to the taxpayers under Chapter 62F, there may have been some other need for these funds,” Barber said. “I hope that those funds were not used at the expense of covering low and moderate income families’ health care, but that looks like what might be happening. But we know that rather than spend these funds that were in the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund, the governor swept those funds out and then replaced this new program that we created with a study.”

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/dems-feel-baker-knew-of-looming-tax-break-blockbuster/ 

"STATE OFFICIALS said on Thursday that tax revenues grew by more than 20 percent in the most recently completed fiscal year, but that growth will nevertheless yield a tax cap credit that is probably more than $600 million less than what the Baker administration estimated last week.

The tax cap is a 1986 law that sets “allowable” tax revenue the state can take in during a given year and requires collections in excess of that amount to be returned to taxpayers in the form of a credit."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/tax-cap-giveback-appears-not-as-big-as-forecasted/

CommonWealth Magazine: after all the he said/she said, tax credit might be less than Gov Baker claimed

Beacon Hill Round up: likely tax rebate coming in some amount/form; MA Senate union debate goes forward

"In a surprise, Baker says taxpayers could receive ‘north of $2.5 billion’ in tax relief under little-known law" 

"With state coffers overflowing, Massachusetts taxpayers could receive nearly $3 billion in tax relief under an obscure 36-year-old law, Governor Charlie Baker’s administration said Thursday, surprising lawmakers just as separate tax relief talks seemed to be reaching a crescendo.

The likelihood of a decades-old law forcing the state to give back billions to taxpayers quickly shook Beacon Hill on the same day data showed the economy had edged closer to, if not officially in, a recession.

It also complicated legislators’ negotiations over a $1 billion package of tax breaks and rebates — a mammoth proposal lawmakers pursued to help ease the pinch of ballooning inflation but were still scrambling to complete before their legislative session ends Sunday night.

How much the state could ultimately hand back to taxpayers is unclear. But Baker said Thursday that the state appears poised to trigger a 1986 voter-passed law that seeks to limit state tax revenue growth to the growth of total wages and salaries in the state."

Continue reading the Boston Globe article (subscriptions may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/28/metro/surprise-baker-says-taxpayers-could-receive-north-25-billion-tax-relief-under-little-known-law/ 

CommonWealth Magazine coverage

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/cap-to-give-north-of-2-5b-in-excess-tax-revenue-back-to-taxpayers/

Mass. Senate president won’t voluntarily recognize staff union effort, doesn’t ‘see a path forward’

Nearly four months after legislative staff in the Massachusetts Senate formally asked President Karen E. Spilka to recognize them as an employee union, Spilka rejected the effort.

“The Senate does not at this time see a path forward for a traditional employer-union relationship in the Senate as we are currently structured,” she wrote in a staff email on Thursday evening.

Staffers expressed dismay at her decision.

Continue reading the Boston Globe article (subscriptions may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/28/metro/mass-senate-president-wont-voluntarily-recognize-staff-union-effort-doesnt-see-path-forward/

The union responded Senate President Spilka's statement with their own:

MA State House Employee Union (MSHEU) statement

Beacon Hill Roundup: Conf Cmte agreement on veterans services; possible reshaping of local public health; tax cap to be triggered

Lawmakers reach agreement on Soldiers’ Home governance

"LEGISLATIVE NEGOTIATORS have come to an agreement on how to overhaul the governance of the state’s two Soldiers’ Homes in Holyoke and Chelsea. 

A bill released Wednesday evening lays out a new administrative structure for the homes, which elevates the Secretary of Veterans Services to a cabinet-level position while also creating a new independent Office of a Veterans Advocate. The bill represents a major bureaucratic restructuring with multiple levels of oversight and administration aimed at improving the management of the homes.  "

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health-care/lawmakers-reach-agreement-on-soldiers-home-governance/

 

With time short, lawmakers seek to reshape local public health

"THE LEGISLATURE is poised to dramatically reshape Massachusetts’ local public health landscape, after the COVID-19 pandemic spotlighted just how inadequate it is. 

“I’ve been doing this work for almost 25 years and it’s just astounding to me the opportunity that we’re being presented with here, and the fact that the Legislature really understands the importance of delivering services fairly and equitably throughout the Commonwealth,” said Cheryl Sbarra, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards. “It’s something those of us involved in local public health have been dreaming for our whole careers.” 

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/with-time-short-lawmakers-seek-to-reshape-local-public-health/

Long-forgotten tax cap about to be triggered

"WHILE LAWMAKERS scramble to put together a package of tax breaks in the final days of the legislative session, a little-known law from the mid-1980s is about to alter the Beacon Hill debate over tax relief.

Record tax revenues in fiscal 2021 are expected to trigger the state’s tax cap for the first time in more than 30 years, setting the stage for Massachusetts taxpayers to claim sizable credits on their 2022 returns.

The exact size of the credits is unclear because some of the information needed to calculate them is not yet available. But sources say the amount of money at stake could be significant. It’s also unclear whether the return of the money under the tax cap will affect ongoing discussions about a package of tax breaks and cash payments to residents totaling roughly $1 billion.

The tax cap is one of those laws that has largely faded from memory. It was passed by voters in 1986, in the midst of the so-called Massachusetts Miracle. Put forward by Citizens for Limited Taxation and the Massachusetts High Technology Council, the ballot question sought to restrict how much tax revenue the state could take in, limiting the growth in revenues to no more than the growth in total wages and salaries."

 

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/long-forgotten-tax-cap-about-to-be-triggered/

A chart showing allowable tax revenues and net tax revenues since 1987.

Senate Passes Legislation to Promote Economic Growth and Give Residents Relief

$4.57 billion spending package includes tax relief, funding for health care, housing,
technology, tourism and other sectors strained by the COVID-19 pandemic

On Thursday (07/21/2022), the Massachusetts State Senate passed a $4.57 billion spending package to promote economic development in the Commonwealth and give relief to residents facing the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic turbulence. The bill includes a broad-based tax relief package that will result in permanently lower taxes for many households and hundreds of thousands of residents receiving rebates from the state. The bill targets investment to sectors such as health care, housing, early education, agriculture, and tourism, which have been impacted by economic uncertainty. The bill also pursues economic growth by investing in climate resiliency, public lands, and clean energy.

"With this legislation, we are taking concrete steps to improve the quality of life for our residents, make Massachusetts more competitive nationally, tackle the dual threats of inflation and economic uncertainty, and build our economy of the future," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "Our tax relief package will make a meaningful impact for many Massachusetts residents and working families, and the rebates continue our commitment to putting money back in residents' wallets. I'm particularly proud of our investments to stabilize the early education and child care sector, as well as the new funding we put towards higher education scholarships in high-demand fields like nursing, early education, special education, and cybersecurity. I would like to thank the entire Senate for their many contributions to this important legislation, especially Chairs Rodrigues, Lesser and Hinds."

"This comprehensive economic development package passed by the Senate is a thoughtfully crafted and multi-faceted proposal that further strengthens our Commonwealth's economic foundation as we emerge from the shadows of the pandemic during a time of uncertainty," said State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "Making an array of strategic investments to support critically important sectors like health care, housing, human services, early education, agriculture, and clean energy, while providing over $1 billion in targeted tax relief for middle class-households, low-income taxpayers, families with children and dependents, renters, and seniors, this bill will help our residents make ends meet, support the needs of our communities and build long-lasting economic security in all corners of the state. I want to thank Senate President Spilka for her leadership and steadfast support, Senators Lesser and Hinds for their meaningful contributions, and my fellow colleagues in the Senate for their input and efforts to further improve the bill."

"Massachusetts has so much to offer as an innovation hub and education leader in our country, but it's getting harder and harder to live and work here. Housing prices are skyrocketing, childcare costs are out of control, inflation is climbing, businesses everywhere are coping with supply-chain issues, and families know that their dollar is not going as far as it did only a few months ago," said Senator Eric P. Lesser (D-Longmeadow), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. "Today, we passed our economic development bonding bill and tax relief package to bring much-needed financial relief to residents here in Massachusetts. This legislation prioritizes housing, climate resiliency, childcare access, workforce development, downtown revitalization, and the worker of the future. As policymakers, we must be prepared to meet the moment ahead of us and ensure that our Commonwealth continues to be a great place to work and live."

"These crucial changes to our tax code will create much needed targeted relief to families across the Commonwealth grappling with how to make ends meet," said Senator Adam G. Hinds (D-Pittsfield), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Revenue and Chair of the Senate Committee on Reimagining Massachusetts Post-Pandemic Resiliency. "As prices rise, we need to continue to invest in the people who need it most, including those who make our economy run."

Tax Relief

This legislation includes $501 million in comprehensive tax relief for lower-and middle-income families, children, seniors, and renters and $510 million in one-time payments to middle-income filers. Notably, $250 in direct relief payments, would be sent in September 2022 to all single-filing taxpayers who earned between $38,000 and $100,000 in 2021, and $500 would be sent to married couples who earned between $38,000 and $150,000 that same year. Businesses would see relief through an investment of $100 million in the state's Unemployment Compensation Fund.

The bill would further provide permanent tax relief by:

• Increasing state matching of the earned income tax credit (EITC) from 30 per cent to 40 per cent of the federal credit, which supports low-income families
• Increasing existing child and dependent tax credits from $180 to $310 per child or dependent and removing the cap on the number of eligible children and dependents
• Increasing the rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $4,000, supporting renters
• Increasing the senior circuit breaker tax credit cap from $1,170 to $2,340, supporting senior citizens and individuals who care for them
• Increasing the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) tax credit annual cap from $10,000,000 to $30,000,000, which helps Gateway Cities expand the diversity of available housing and promote neighborhood stabilization
• Exempting estates valued under $2,000,000 from the estate tax and eliminating the 'tax cliff' by establishing a uniform credit of $99,600

Appropriations

The bill invests $965 million for health and humans services programs, including:

• $400 million for hospitals that have become fiscally strained during the pandemic
• $250 million for rate increases for human service providers
• $195 million for nursing facilities and rest homes
• $80 million for Community Health Centers
• $22.5 million to reduce gun violence and related trauma throughout the Commonwealth, including:
• $5 million for a grant program to support school safety infrastructure improvements
• $2.5 million to provide behavioral health-related supports and resources in schools to reduce instances of gun violence
• $17.5 million for reproductive and family planning services

It also invests $610 million for environmental and climate resiliency initiatives, including:

• $150 million for the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust
• $125 million for the conservation and improvement of publicly owned lands, and otherwise conserved lands
• $125 million for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to accelerate the transition to and expansion of renewable energy
• $100 million for ports and port infrastructure to support the clean energy economy
• $100 million to promote and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, through the MOR-EV program as well as expanded electric vehicle charging infrastructure

It further invests $400 million for promoting the production of affordable housing, including:

• $150 million to support the production of workforce housing
• $150 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund
• $100 million for the CommonWealth Builder Program

The bill also includes a significant investment of $150 million for early education and care providers through the continuation of the Commonwealth Cares for our Children (C3) stabilization grant program.

The bill also creates a new scholarship program, funded at $50 million, to promote the attainment of debt-free higher education for students pursuing careers in high-demand industries, such as health care, education, and cybersecurity.

Bond Authorizations

The bill authorizes $1.4 billion in capital expenditures, including:

• $400 million for the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, which provides grants to municipalities and other public entities for infrastructure project
• $373 million for the Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation (MassTech), which strengthens the competitiveness of the tech and innovation economy in Massachusetts by driving strategic investments and partnerships, including:
• $75 million for a robotics capital program
• $25 million for a program to support minority owned and operated start-ups
• $268.8 million for housing related investments, including:
• $95.2 million for housing authority capital improvements
• $73.1 million for the Housing Stabilization and Investment Trust Fund
• $29.5 million for the Housing Innovations Trust Fund
• $11.7 million for the development of low- and moderate-income housing
• $50 million for matching funds to improve broadband infrastructure
• $50 million for a program to revitalize underutilized properties
• $30 million for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative, which supports innovation within the state's manufacturing industry, including by offering technical assistance to manufacturers and attracting talent from outside of the state
• $24 million for the Scientific and Technology Research and Development Matching Grant Fund
• $10 million for the Rural and Small-Town Development Fund
• $10 million for Tourism Destination Development Grants
• $5 million for community planning grants

Additional Policy Items

The bill also establishes the following new programs and institutions:

• A Center for Employee Ownership within the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD), as well as an advisory board on employee ownership to advise the Governor and the director of the Massachusetts Center for Employee Ownership on issues and policy matters pertaining to employee involvement and ownership
• A Cybersecurity Center and a Center for Advanced Manufacturing within the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
• A commission on agricultural equity to develop recommendations for supporting racially equitable investments, policies and practices for farmers
• A trust fund for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which codifies into law a program that allows people to use SNAP benefits to buy healthy, local fruits and vegetables
• A program in the Department of Agricultural Resources to assist farmers and inform them about state programs and funding opportunities

The bill directs the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to consider and develop plans for supporting agricultural, seafood and processed food production in its emergency preparedness planning efforts and also creates a study and report on the feasibility of the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of the Hynes Convention Center.

Amendments

A number of notable amendments were adopted during the floor debate, including those that would:

• Assist small business owners by creating one simplified portal where businesses can apply for state grants
• Provide Massachusetts consumers with a 'right to repair' their cell phones, by requiring manufacturers to make the documentation, tools, and parts needed to repair devices available to consumers and independent repair shops
• Support the Commonwealth's veterans by increasing the annual payment for disabled veterans and their surviving families to $3,000  
• Establish a Hunger-Free Campus Initiative to address food insecurity on college campuses
• Support families that have experienced housing insecurity by allowing certain tenants who have been evicted to seal the records of their eviction case
• Ensure students can obtain academic transcripts for the courses they have completed and paid for, rather than having their entire transcript withheld for outstanding fees
• Expand the ability of homeowners to add accessory dwelling units to their property as an innovative way to address the housing crisis
• Allow restaurants to offer 'happy hour' discounts on alcoholic beverages if a town approves this policy via local option
• Allow state candidates for public office to use campaign funds for expenses related to child care services
• Expand the ciders that are eligible for the reduced cider tax rate, by raising the ABV limit from six per cent to eight and a half per cent
• Empower farmer distilleries to sell wine and distilled products

A version of this legislation having previously passed the House of Representatives, a conference committee will now be appointed to address any differences between the two bills.

Senate Passes Legislation to Promote Economic Growth and Give Residents Relief

MA "House proposes $1b in short and long-term tax relief"

"HOUSE LEADERS rolled out a $523.5 million package of permanent tax breaks on Monday that, when combined with $510 million in one-time payments to middle-income residents proposed last week, would yield more than $1 billion in tax relief for Massachusetts residents.

House and Senate officials released a statement saying they were in agreement on the general framework of the permanent tax relief package but not necessarily on the specifics of each tax break. The permanent tax break package, which would take effect in January, echoes many of the same themes originally proposed in a $700 million tax relief package proposed by Gov. Charlie Baker in his January budget proposal, although some of the tax breaks are smaller and Baker’s call for a sharp reduction in the short-term capital gains tax rate is not included."

Continue reading reading the CommonWealth Magazine reporting ->   https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/house-proposes-1b-in-short-and-long-term-tax-relief/

Boston Globe coverage (subscription may be required)  ->   https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/11/metro/mass-lawmakers-promise-wide-ranging-500m-tax-relief-plan-offer-broad-strokes-few-details/

MA "House proposes $1b in short and long-term tax relief"

Trane shares tax benefit with Tri-County

Representatives of Trane Technologies (NYSE:TT), a global climate innovator in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and transport refrigeration, presented a check in the sum of $27,327.74 to Superintendent, Karen Maguire for the benefit of Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School at their Franklin, MA facility.  

Through a proven and innovative procurement and contracting process known as Performance Contracting, Trane designed and installed a comprehensive range of facility improvements at Tri-County that will provide a safe, comfortable, and efficient learning environment while substantially reducing energy consumption.

The $7M project, financed by an independent third party, and completed in 2020, included a roof replacement, new HVAC equipment and controls, and a comprehensive lighting systems upgrade. As part of the Performance Contracting process, Trane will guarantee that Tri-County will realize a reduction in energy consumption equaling $178,000/year over the 20-year term. Trane will also provide ongoing maintenance services to ensure optimal operation of project improvements for the long term.

Photo (L-R): Harry Takesian, Karen Maguire, Leo McNeil, Morgan Perras, Chris Marshall

“As a local resident and taxpayer, I am pleased to help facilitate a mechanism whereby Tri-County is able demonstrate fiscal and environmental stewardship while optimizing the learning environment for students.” said Leo McNeil of Trane.

“As a civic minded organization, Trane is pleased to share a portion of the 179D tax benefit with our customers” said Morgan Perras, of Trane.

Internal Revenue Code Sec. 179D is a popular tax incentive that provides building owners and eligible designers/builders the opportunity to claim a tax deduction for installing qualifying energy efficient systems in buildings.  Accordingly, Trane Technologies can file for this incentive for projects implemented at tax-exempt entities, such as Tri County Vocational Technical High School.

“Trane is pleased to present this share of the 179d tax benefit for this project to Tri-County”, said Chris Marshall, of Trane. The check is presented as a gift to Tri-County for their use in fulfilling their mission to provide an excellent comprehensive technical and academic education to regional high school students.

Franklin, MA: Town Council Meeting - Mar 3, 2021 - Agenda

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29.  This meeting may be recorded by others. 

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a. February 17, 2021
b. February 3, 2021

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS
a. Conservation Commission - Andrew Mazzuchelli

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm
None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
a. Senior Circuit Breaker Income Tax Credit - Erin Rogers, Senior Center Director
b. Downtown Franklin MBTA Parking Lot

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Capital Budget Subcommittee 
b. Budget Subcommittee 
c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Bylaw Amendment 21-869: Chapter 82, Municipal Service Fees Section 82-6 Schedule of Service Fees, Subsection F. Fire - Second Reading (Motion to Adopt Bylaw Amendment 21-869 - Majority Roll Call Vote)

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
Resolution 21-12: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53 F3/4 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-12 - Majority Roll Call Vote) 

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
a. COVID-19 Updates

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION
None Scheduled

ADJOURN

Note: 

• Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
• Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Agenda and documents released for this meeting

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/3-3-21_town_council_agenda.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council Meeting - Mar 3, 2021 - Agenda

IRS: Three new credits are available to many businesses hit by COVID-19

The Internal Revenue Service today reminds employers affected by COVID-19 about three important new credits available to them.

Employee Retention Credit:
The employee retention credit is designed to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payroll. The refundable tax credit is 50% of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19.

The credit is available to all employers regardless of size, including tax-exempt organizations. There are only two exceptions: State and local governments and their instrumentalities and small businesses who take small business loans.

Qualifying employers must fall into one of two categories:

• The employer's business is fully or partially suspended by government order due to COVID-19 during the calendar quarter.
• The employer's gross receipts are below 50% of the comparable quarter in 2019. Once the employer's gross receipts go above 80% of a comparable quarter in 2019, they no longer qualify after the end of that quarter.

Employers will calculate these measures each calendar quarter.

Paid Sick Leave Credit and Family Leave Credit:
The paid sick leave credit is designed to allow business to get a credit for an employee who is unable to work (including telework) because of Coronavirus quarantine or self-quarantine or has Coronavirus symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis. Those employees are entitled to paid sick leave for up to 10 days (up to 80 hours) at the employee's regular rate of pay up to $511 per day and $5,110 in total.

The employer can also receive the credit for employees who are unable to work due to caring for someone with Coronavirus or caring for a child because the child's school or place of care is closed, or the paid childcare provider is unavailable due to the Coronavirus. Those employees are entitled to paid sick leave for up to two weeks (up to 80 hours) at 2/3 the employee's regular rate of pay or, up to $200 per day and $2,000 in total.

Employees are also entitled to paid family and medical leave equal to 2/3 of the employee's regular pay, up to $200 per day and $10,000 in total. Up to 10 weeks of qualifying leave can be counted towards the family leave credit.

Employers can be immediately reimbursed for the credit by reducing their required deposits of payroll taxes that have been withheld from employees' wages by the amount of the credit.
Eligible employers are entitled to immediately receive a credit in the full amount of the required sick leave and family leave, plus related health plan expenses and the employer's share of Medicare tax on the leave, for the period of April 1, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2020. The refundable credit is applied against certain employment taxes on wages paid to all employees.

How will employers receive the credit?
Employers can be immediately reimbursed for the credit by reducing their required deposits of payroll taxes that have been withheld from employees' wages by the amount of the credit.
Eligible employers will report their total qualified wages and the related health insurance costs for each quarter on their quarterly employment tax returns or Form 941 beginning with the second quarter. If the employer's employment tax deposits are not sufficient to cover the credit, the employer may receive an advance payment from the IRS by submitting Form 7200, Advance Payment of Employer Credits Due to COVID-19 (https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-7200).

Eligible employers can also request an advance of the Employee Retention Credit by submitting Form 7200.

The IRS has also posted Employee Retention Credit FAQs (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-employee-retention-credit-under-the-cares-act) and Paid Family Leave and Sick Leave FAQs (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/covid-19-related-tax-credits-for-required-paid-leave-provided-by-small-and-midsize-businesses-faqs) that will help answer questions.

Updates on the implementation of the Employee Retention Credit and other information can be found on the Coronavirus page of IRS.gov.

Related Items:
•FS-2020-05, New Employee Retention Credit helps employers keep employees on payroll (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/new-employee-retention-credit-helps-employers-keep-employees-on-payroll)


Shared from 
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-three-new-credits-are-available-to-many-businesses-hit-by-covid-19