Personal Property Taxes
About the Personal Property Tax
- Each year, all proprietors, partnerships, associations, trusts, and corporations must file a Form of List declaring their assets and values
- Residents with large assets (>$10,000 in value) should also file a Form of List
- In Massachusetts, material non-real estate goods used in the course of business are subject to a personal property tax
- These material can range from diner chairs to dentistry machines to poles and conduits used by power companies
Billing
- This tax is assessed as of January 1st and is billed in arrears
- A bill will not be issued until the fiscal year after the year in which the business was established or asset was acquired
- A tax bill will be issued in the fiscal year after the business is closed or asset is sold
Filing Form of List
- Due March 1st
- If no form is filed, the office will make an estimation of value
- In some cases, an inspection of the premises may occur
- Return it to the Board of Assessors by the filing deadline
Abatement
- Deadline for filing an abatement application is February 1
- After the filing deadline, the Board will review the abatement application and determine whether an adjustment in value is warranted
- Having no Form of List on file will make it more difficult to be granted an abatement
