Property Tax Information
Contact your local assessor’s office.
Property values continue to rise in Massachusetts, and you may find your tax bill on the rise as well.
In 2023, the average property tax bill for a single family home was $7,059. Whether you recently purchased your first home or you are a long-time homeowner whose tax bill has recently gone up, you may be wondering what your options are for lowering your tax bill, and whether you qualify for a property tax abatement, exemption, or deferral.
Property Tax Exemptions and Deferrals
The Massachusetts Department of Revenue manages applications for property tax exemptions and deferrals. You can find these applications on their Forms and Guides page.
Property Tax Abatements
If you’re considering applying for a property tax abatement, read below on the process for submitting your application.
Contact Your Assessor’s Office
First, contact your local assessor's office. They can answer questions about your assessment, provide appropriate paperwork, and assist with any special circumstances. Your assessor’s office may also provide information that could assist with your tax bill.
For example, many communities have tax exemptions for seniors, veterans, residents, those who are blind, and others.
Do Your Research
If your city or town lists property assessment information on their website, compare your property with other similar properties. Look for any potential errors in assessing your home’s value.
If you believe your home has been overvalued or disproportionately assessed, an abatement may be a good option.
Apply on Time
Typically, property tax abatement applications must be filed by the due date of the first actual (not preliminary) bill for the year. To determine whether a bill is an actual tax bill, look for an assessed value on your property and a designated tax rate.
For communities with quarterly tax bills, the application is due along with your third quarter payment, usually by February 1st.
If you plan to mail your abatement application to your assessor's office, have it postmarked by the deadline and addressed directly to the assessor's office.
If you’re delivering your application in person, it must be in the assessor's office by the deadline.
Submit the Right Documents
You can find abatement applications at any city and town assessor's office. For the state abatement application, State Tax Form 128, visit the Department of Revenue’s website.
An abatement cannot be approved unless you file a Department of Revenue tax abatement form by the deadline. Some cities and towns have customized abatement forms for their communities. Check with your local assessor's office about which forms are required.
The abatement application must be filed and signed by the assessed owner, the current owner, or the owner’s agent. Under certain circumstances, other parties with an interest in the property may file an abatement. Contact your assessor's office for any special rules that may apply.
Pay on Time
If your city or town denies an abatement application, you may choose to appeal that decision. However, make sure to pay your bill on time—even if you plan to appeal. If you are filing your application along with your tax payment, pay the full amount you were billed.
Filing an abatement application does not stop the collection of your taxes, and you may lose your right to appeal if you do not pay on time. Late payments may also result in additional charges. If your abatement is approved and you have already paid the tax bill for the entire year, you will receive a refund.
If your tax bill is more than $5,000, and you wish to appeal to the State Appellate Tax Board, your property tax payment must be in the tax collector’s office by the bill’s due date. A postmark by the due date isn’t sufficient for an on-time payment—your payment must be in the tax collector’s hands by the due date.