BOARD OF ASSESSORS

TAXPAYER INFORMATION GUIDE

FILING DEADLINE - FISCAL YEAR 2020

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2020

If mailed must be post marked by February 1, 2020

TIMELY FILING

To be timely filed, an application must be (1) actually received in the assessors' office by the close of business on or before the application due date, or (2) postmarked by the United States Postal Service, as mailed first class postage prepaid to the proper address of the assessors on or before the application due date. If an application is made by FAX or e-mail, the application must be delivered to the Assessors' office by the close of business on or before the application due date.

To verify timely filing, the Assessors will date stamp all applications received in their office and note the delivery method, e.g., by hand, private delivery service, mail, FAX or e-mail. For applications delivered by mail after the application deadline, they must retain and attach to the applications, the envelopes in which they were mailed.

The Board of Assessors is prevented by law from granting abatement's unless you file on time.

The following explains the procedure for applying for an abatement on property tax:

An Abatement Application Form can be downloaded here and is also available at the Assessor's Office at Town Hall, 40 South Street. Office hours are Monday -Thursday 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Tuesday 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM, Friday, 8:30 AM-12:30 PM. Phone us at 508-543-1215. Email [email protected]

Please note that abatement filings and abatement amounts are public records. However, individual abatement applications are not.

The following is an overview of the abatement process:

On your tax bill, please note the ASSESSMENT DATE. ~The value shown on your bill is as of JANUARY 1, 2019, NOT the day you received the bill.

If you feel that there is an error in your tax bill (overvaluation or otherwise), obtain and complete an Application for Abatement and read everything on the front and back of the form.

If you did not receive a "printout" of your property with your abatement form, you should ask for one so you can check for errors in the listing of characteristics of your property. In the processing of your application, one of the steps we will take is to inspect the property, inside and outside, in order to verify the appraisal data on file.

Make a copy of your tax bill and attach it to your application.

Fill out both sides of the application. Check off the appropriate reason for abatement sought with a written explanation.

If the reason an application for abatement is being filed is for OVERVALUATION, it should be based on one of two reasons:

1. Sales of properties with very similar characteristics such as location, lot size, structure size, type, age, and condition that have occurred reasonably close to January 1, the assessment date, indicate your property is incorrectly valued.

2. Assessed Values of properties with very similar characteristics, (as listed above), that indicate that your property is incorrectly valued.

Whichever the case, you will find all the information needed to substantiate your claim at our office.

In order to substantiate your abatement request for OVERVALUATION, it is important to offer supporting data. Comparable properties ("comps") should be identified.

IMPORTANT; Be sure to use "comparable" properties that have very similar characteristics to your own.

All sales data and valuations of all property in town can be found at the Assessor's Office counter. In addition, the records of all the characteristics of your parcel, and all other properties, are available through the public information computer terminal on the same counter. If you have any difficulties using this terminal, we will assist you in finding any property you are interested in.

"Comps" can be listing in the explanation section of the abatement application or attachments may be included.

Once completed, please be sure to SIGN and DATE the back of your application.

The Board of Assessors has 3 months from the date you file your application for abatement to take action. ~If the board does not take action within this time, your application is "Deemed Denied", by act of law. ~You will receive notification of disposition from our office regardless of whether that disposition was to grant or deny your abatement.

If you desire a meeting with the Board of Assessors, please request a meeting on your Application for Abatement. You will be scheduled at the first available opportunity after verification of the appraisal data.

If you are dissatisfied with the board's decision, or your application is deemed denied, you have the right to file an appeal with the Appellate Tax Board in Boston, phone 617-727-3100.

Your right of appeal lasts for 3 months from the date of the decision of the Board of Assessors, or from the date your application was deemed denied.

Please contact our office with any questions you might have regarding the abatement process.

Our staff will answer any questions you might have about this entire process. Phone 508-543-1215.