Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin reminds property owners in most communities that the deadline to apply for a property tax abatement is Monday, February 1.
“Assessments have risen in most communities, resulting in higher tax bills,” Galvin said. “But if you believe your assessment is too high, you might want to explore the abatement process. You can challenge a tax bill if you believe that the assessed value is too high in relation to similar properties in the neighborhood, or that the classification is improper.”
February 1 is the deadline for property tax payments in two-thirds of the cities and towns in Massachusetts, and it is also the last day to file for an abatement in those communities.
Tips for those considering an abatement are contained in a brochure available from the Citizen Information Service, a division of the Secretary’s Office. The brochure is on line at www.sec.state.ma.us/cis or can be obtained by calling this toll-free number, 1-800-392-6090.
Abatement application forms are available at all municipal assessor offices. Applications for property tax exemptions are available there as well. Exemptions are available for certain elderly homeowners, the blind, disabled veterans, minor children of a deceased parent, or minor children of police or firefighters killed in the line of duty.
A negative ruling by a local assessor on an abatement or exemption application can be appealed to the State Appellate Tax Board.
