(Mass. General Laws Chapter 59, Section 18)

Personal Property is tangible property other than real estate such as machinery, livestock, furniture, pipelines, wires, poles, etc.  Not limited to individuals, it includes property of partnerships, trusts, corporations, estates, etc.  It is assessed tax separately from real estate, but is taxed at the same rate.  The tax rate for Fiscal Year 2010 was set at $11.54 per thousand dollars of value. The tax rate for Fiscal Year 2011 will be determined shortly before the actual tax bills are mailed at the end of December.  Personal Property is taxable in the municipality where it is situated on January first of that year.  However, items not permanently situated such as construction equipment may be taxed in the town where the owner is an inhabitant on January first.  For information on items that may be exempt from the personal property tax, please contact the Assessor’s Office.

Each year by March first taxpayers with taxable personal property must submit a true list  of all non-exempt personal estate.  Businesses must file a Form 2 (Form of List).  People with second homes must file a Form 2HF (Form of List).  These forms are available at the Assessor’s Office and online (for Form 2), and  (for Form 2HF). A notice regarding these requirements is posted outside the Assessor’s Office at the beginning of each calendar year.

If a form is not filed with the Assessors by March first, the Assessors will have to estimate the value of your personal property.  Abatement requests can not be considered without the filing by March first of the required form.

Personal Property is valued by replacement cost new, less depreciation, based on age and condition.  The same tax rate that applies to the real estate tax bills is applied to the personal property tax bills.  Personal property bills are mailed and due on the same schedule as the real estate tax bills.  Bills are mailed out twice a year, two quarterly bills at a time.  The Fiscal Year 2011 begins on July 1, 2010, and runs through June 30, 2011.  Bills are due on a quarterly basis. The first quarter is due on August 2, 2010, the second quarter is due on November 1, 2010.  The third quarter is due on February 1, 2011, and the fourth quarter is due on May 2, 2011. 

If you disagree with the information on your actual tax bill, you may complete and submit the Application for Abatement (State Tax Form 128) to the Assessors Office within a specific time period.  This form is also available in the Assessors Office.  Abatement applications will be accepted only during the 30-day period prior to the third quarter bill due date of February 1, 2011.  Abatement applications must be received in the Assessors Office on or before the due date of February 1, 2011, or bear a U.S. Postal mark of February 1, 2011 or prior.  Late applications can not be acted upon by the Board of Assessors.  These deadlines can not be extended or waived by the Assessors for any reason.

For further information, please contact the Assessor’s Office at (978) 356-6603.