In a previous article, Bristol County Property Tax Record , it explains how real estate property values are determined.  The following paragraphs will help you in the process of applying for a reduction in your real estate taxes. 

An Abatement is the application process for reducing real estate property tax.   Perhaps your reasoning for applying is one of “fairness”, such that you believe your real estate taxation exceeds others of similar properties or that there is a likely mistake contributing to your mistaken taxation, however, the abatement process is the same.  You must adhere strictly to the time mandated by the municipality in which you are filing your abatement. 

Here are some steps to follow:

1.  You must be the owner of record as of January 1 of the fiscal year in which you apply.
2.  Request the abatement form and application process from the town in which you seek the abatement. 
3. Do your research!  Part of the application process requires that you substantiate your reasoning behind your request for abatement.  Property records and sales data should be readily available in the Town’s Assessing office. 
4. Complete your application in a timely manner.  Hand deliver it to the municipality and have a copy date stamped by the Town Clerk’s office.  This is your proof of submission. 

Once submitted, you will be notified in writing by Notice of Approval or Notice of Denial (G.L. c. 58A. 6), in which no abatement will be granted.   There is a further action that can be taken with a “denial”.  You have 60 days from the date of the decision by the Assessing Department to then appeal to the state Appellate Tax Board:

Appellate Tax Board

100 Cambridge Street

Floor 2, Suite 200

Boston, MA 02114

(617) 727-3100

Things to remember—Abatement filings and abatement amounts are public records, your application however is not public.  While awaiting this abatement process, it is critical that you continue to pay the mandated taxation.  Lastly, it is predictable but not necessary, that the municipality will require an interior and exterior inspection of the property under review.  If you have, in fact, made significant improvements to your property that the municipality is not aware of, it is possible that your taxes in successive years could be increased to reflect this new discovery. 

Click Here to download the necessary form.

Click Here for More Local Real Estate News & Information