Frequently Asked Questions

View the 2016 Tax Rates.

100% of full and fair cash value.

The courts have defined this phrase to mean "current market value." Thus, in determining value, the Assessors seek to approximate what property would sell for on the open market, with an acceptable range of error.

You can either call or come into the Assessor's office with the property location or owner’s name; or use the Patriot Properties site.

Same as in the How do I check the valuation of a property? FAQ.

Yes. The Assessor's office lists a book and page reference on the property record card for most of the properties. If the information is not available through our office, you would have to contact the Franklin County Registry of Deeds, located in Greenfield or go to the Registry of Deeds. You would need the year of the sale, and the name of either the buyer or the seller.

Yes, you can find this information by either calling or coming in to our office or visiting the Registry of Deeds.

Yes. The Assessor's office creates these reports based on transfer information received from the Registry of Deeds. The reports are available at the counter.

The change of address forms are available on our town website or in the Assessors' Office. Please contact the Assessors' Office

The assessment date is the January 1st preceding the fiscal year. New construction (i.e. new homes, additions, sheds, decks, etc.) is assessed as of July 1st.

The name on the tax bill is the record owner(s) as of January 1st preceding the fiscal year.

As stated above the bills are shown with the record owner as of January 1st. Therefore, any transfer between January 2nd and December 31st will not be reflected on any tax bills until the following July 1st. However, if someone contacts our office for the current ownership, the new owner information will be provided.

The only ways to change a name on a property/tax bill is to either record a new deed or to provide the Assessor's office with a probated will.

Currently the Tax Collector's office mails the bill semi annually.

Tax bills are due 30 days from the date of issue.

You must file by the due date of your 1st half actual tax bill.

Anyone who feels overvalued or exempt is eligible to file for an abatement. However, you should ask yourself these questions before filing:

• Is the data on my property record card correct?
• Is my value in line with other similar properties?
• Is my value in line with recent sale prices?

Also, keep in mind that you are appealing your assessment, not your taxes. Therefore you must pay your taxes pending your appeal. The office staff will be happy to assist you. No appointment is necessary to review your property record card.

You must file your application in the Assessors' office for each piece of property.

You may get the application on our town website or at the Assessor's Office.

Abatement filings and abatement amounts are public records. However, individual abatement applications are not available to the public for inspection under the public records law.

You can file an appeal within 3 months of the date of denial to the:

Appellate Tax Board (ATB)
100 Cambridge Street Suite 200
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-727-3100

Call the ATB for an application; or use the link to the ATB website. The application is not difficult to complete, and the ATB is more than fair to homeowners. However, your case may not occur for a year or so.

You will receive a notice indicating the amount of the abatement in tax dollars.

Divide the abatement amount by the tax rate.