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1. What if you disagree with the Assessed value?

If, in your opinion, the assessment of your property is too high, by all means, discuss this with the Board of Assessors. When you receive notice of a new value, you may make an appointment to talk with the Assessors. In meeting with them, you will want to be specific about why you disagree. Is there some misinformation on the property record card? Do you find values of comparable properties lower than yours? If so, it is helpful to cite specific examples.

Information on all the assessments in the community is available in the Assessors' Office. The appeal process is described on the tax bill.

2. What is the process to file an overvaluation abatement application?

If you believe that your value is too high, and need to file an overvaluation abatement in the Assessors Office by the due date of the 3rd Qtr. Tax Bill. If your application is received any time after the due date, it is considered late with the following exception. Note that abatement applications will be considered as filed timely if they are received in the mail after February 1 but have a postmark on the envelope of no later than February 1. This "postmark" rule applies only to those applications mailed to the proper address of the Assessors, first-class postage prepaid, with postmarks made by the United States Postal Service.

If the application is late, the Board of Assessors loses its jurisdiction to abate the bill. At that point, nothing can be done for the year in question. There are no exceptions.

After you file, you will be contacted by the Assessors Office to arrange for a complete interior and exterior inspection of your property. The inspection is an important part of our review of your application. If you refuse the inspection, the Board of Assessors will simply disallow your application. You will receive written notice regarding your application no later than three months after you file your application in the Assessors Office.

Please note that the tax bill is due and payable by the payment due date noted on the tax bill even if you file an overvaluation application. If you do receive an overvaluation abatement, the full amount will show as a credit on the fourth quarter or as a refund.

3. How do I file an abatement application?

You must file an application by the due date of the 3rd quarter Actual Tax Bill at the Assessor's Office on the second floor of Town Hall. Before you file, you should ask yourself three questions:

• Is the data on my property correct?
• Is my value in line with others on my street?
• Is my assessed value in line with sale prices in my neighborhood for the relevant time period?

Remember that dissatisfaction with the amount of valuation increase and the resulting tax dollar increase is not grounds for receiving an overvaluation application. Filing an overvaluation application does not stay the collection of taxes. You must still pay your tax bill by the due date.

You may mail your application to:
Plymouth Board of Assessors
26 Court Street
Plymouth, MA 02360.

4. Where do I get a form to file overvaluation application?

Please visit the Assessors Office to apply for an abatement or download the appropriate form.

5. What happens if my abatement application is approved?

You will receive a notice indicating the amount of the abatement and a credit will show on your next (4th Quarter) tax bill.

6. What happens if my abatement application is denied or I do not agree with the Board's decision?

You can file an appeal within 3 months from the date the Board acted on your abatement:
State Appellate Tax Board
Saltonstall Building
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02202
Phone: 617-727-3100

You must pay your taxes pending your appeal.