What do the Assessors do?

Real and Personal Property:

  • Assessors are governed by Massachusetts General Laws to value all real and personal property.
  • The Assessors perform the duties of valuing property with in-office staff and on occasion with the assistance of an outside appraisal firm who may assist in completing the field review of the community.
  • Every year the Assessors are required to submit a tax rate recapitulation summary (recap sheet) for approval by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue prior to mailing the actual tax bill at the end of each calendar year.
  • Every three years the Massachusetts Department of Revenue visits the Community to recertify the value of the town by doing a field and data review of the community in an attempt to maintain equitable values.

Motor Vehicle Excise:

  • Assessors are responsible for committing the motor vehicle excise tax bill to the Collector of Taxes.
  • The motor vehicle excise information which generates the bill originates with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles who updates their records according to the registration of the vehicle.
  • Assessors are responsible for abating motor vehicle excise (see Motor Vehicle FAQs).

Show All Answers

1. What do the Assessors do?
2. What can the Assessors not do?
3. Who do I call if I question the real estate tax amount?
4. Who do I call if I question the assessed value of my property?
5. How is the Department of Revenue involved?
6. What does 100% of full and fair market value mean?
7. What is Proposition 2 1/2, and how does it affect my assessment?
8. How do I check property information?
9. Can I view assessors' property maps?