Great Barrington's proposed residential tax exemption could indirectly raise rents on year-round

Great Barrington's proposed residential tax exemption could indirectly raise rents on year-round

To the editor: In Great Barrington, the residential tax exemption (RTE) is being pitched as a way to reduce taxes on permanent residents at the expense of part-timers, but the proposal, as presented, will indirectly raise rents on many year-round tenants. This is because the exemption is not allowed for owners of rentals who do not reside on the property or for owners who have taken title under an LLC. So unless a tenant’s landlord lives in the …