BROWN PUSHES FOR NOISE POLLUTION TAX DEDUCTIONS
BOSTON, MA – Due to the large number of calls from constituents who live along the Mass Turnpike who constantly have to deal with noise pollution, Senator Scott Brown is co-sponsoring legislation that would allow tax deductions for certain homeowners as compensation for the devaluation.
Back in 1992, the Turnpike Authority commissioned a study and evaluated areas along the Pike in terms of noise pollution. Based on those findings, they prioritized areas and began constructing noise barriers. Communities that had been informed they would be getting barriers recently learned that the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority does not have the funding to continue the sound barrier program.
This legislation will enable residents who own homes in areas that have been determined to suffer from noise pollution to make remediation efforts on their own homes and receive a tax credit for the money that they spend. Homes located in areas where barriers have already been built will not be eligible for this credit, only homes that are essentially awaiting the construction of a noise barrier that may never come.
“This bill represents a good way to help the people along the Mass Pike to help themselves and improve their quality of life,” stated Senator Brown.
The following are additions to the bill regarding tax deductions:
- A taxpayer will be allowed an additional credit against taxes equal to the amount expended, in excess of $250 and not exceeding $20,000, to reduce noise pollution to a home located within a zone around the Massachusetts Turnpike which suffers noise pollution, owned by the taxpayer.
- The tax credit will be taken against the taxes imposed by noise pollution and is non refundable.
- Any amount of the tax credit that exceeds the tax due for a taxable year may be carried forward by the taxpayer to any of the 5 subsequent taxable years.
- The tax deductions apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2008.
- Those who purchase homes from this point forward located within a zone around the Mass Pike that suffers from noise pollution will not be available for a tax deduction as they are already aware that there will be no new sound barriers on the Mass Pike for the foreseeable future.
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