Real Estate Tax Abatements applications are accepted once a year. This year they are accepted January 1 - February 3, 2025.
If you do not agree with the valuation of your property, you may file an abatement.
There are 3 main reasons to file an abatement:
1) Overvaluation Is your assessed valuation more than the fair cash value of your property on January 1, 2024 for any reason (including clerical and data processing errors or assessment of property that is non-existent or not taxable to you)?
2) Disproportionate Assessment Is your value disproportionately assessed in comparison with other properties?
3) Incorrect Usage Classification. Is your property incorrectly classified as residential, commercial, or industrial property?
Please note, an abatement application is filed because you disagree with the valuation and/or the data, not the taxes.
Real Estate Abatement applications are due February 3, 2025. If applications are not physically in the Assessors Office or post-marked by February 3rd they will be considered late.
What Happens if you file?
1) The Deputy Assessor will investigate the claims made on the application and present their findings to the Board of Assessors.
2) The Board of Assessors will vote to determine if an abatement is warranted. If you wish to be present at the meeting, please let the Deputy Assessor know, so they can inform you when the meeting will be scheduled. If you intend to distribute additional information at the meeting, please make every effort to present it to the Deputy Assessor as soon as possible. A delay in receiving information and supporting documentation may result in a delay of action on your application.What happens if I file?
3) You will be notified, by mail, of the decision of the Board of Assessors. You may appeal the decision of the Board of Assessors to the Appellate Tax Board, which must be filed within three months of the date the assessors acted on your application, or the date your application was deemed denied, whichever is applicable.
Useful links:
Abatement Application Form 128
Guide to filing: A Guide to Filing Real Estate Abatements
Reading your record card: Understanding your property card