Boston’s prestigious nonprofits underpaid the city by $77 million over the last seven years, under terms of a property tax exemption program, it was revealed in a public hearing at City Hall last Thursday.
The Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by Councilor Mark Ciommo, met with Boston residents and representatives from PILOT Action Group, a coalition concerned with the terms of the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program, which gives educational, medical and cultural nonprofits tax-exempt status, but asks they voluntarily contribute 25 percent of the value of their real estate.
“This is about a good neighbor policy,” said Councilor Lydia Edwards, a sponsor of the discussion, along with Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George.