While TPRTA members have consistently rejected the Residential Tax Exemption since it was first implemented in FY2018, for many reasons, we have concluded that it is too far embedded into the property tax expectations to eliminate completely.

However, we do think there are better ways to give tax relief to those who need it while not giving a tax giveaway to those who don’t need tax relief.  One of these is a Means-Tested RTE (MRTE).   This would give tax relief to those who need and not to the wealthiest full-timers who do not need tax relief (but get it because the RTE is not means-tested).

In September 2025, TPRTA presented two approaches to a Means-Tested RTE to the Town’s Part-Time Resident Advisory Committee (PTRAC) and several other ways to improve property tax relief on a tax levy basis  (shared by all) rather than tax-shifted basis (paid only by part-timers).    You can read our analysis and recommendations here. We also advocated that it be available regardless of age –  that is to any property owner who would be eligible based on need.

At the same time, PTRAC had reached its own conclusion on the merits of a Means-Tested RTE.  TPRTA participated in PTRAC’s deliberations and recommendations and encouraged taxpayers to as well.  We expect their proposal to go to the Select Board in March 2026, hopefully in time for an ATM article prepared by the Select Board or PTRAC for voter approval.