Property tax abatement deadline approaches
Property owners in Massachusetts have two weeks to apply for property tax abatements in most Bay State communities, Secretary of State William Galvin reminded them in a statement Monday.
The due date for first-quarter property tax bills is Feb. 2, which is also the last date an owner can file for an abatement on the assessed tax, Galvin said.
“Home prices are rising, as are assessments, but valuations do not rise equally,” Galvin said. “If you believe your assessment is too high, then you might want to explore the abatement process.”
A property owner may challenge a tax bill on grounds that the assessed value is too high in relation to similar properties in the neighborhood; that the classification is improper; or that the property is exempt by law, the statement said.
Two-thirds of Massachusetts cities and towns collect property tax payments quarterly, and Feb. 2 is the deadline in those communities for seeking an abatement as well, Galvin said.
Tips for those seeking an abatement are contained in a brochure available from the Citizen Information Service, a division of Galvin’s office. The brochure is online at www.sec.state.ma.us/cis or can be obtained by calling 1-800-392-6090.
Abatement application forms are available at all municipal assessor offices.
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