Preliminary Tax Payment System FAQ's

Will the new system affect the amount of property taxes I pay for the year?

No. The amount you pay is the same under either system. Either way, the amount is based on the valuation of your property and the tax rate. The tax rate reflects the level of taxes needed to fund local budget decisions and must still be within the limits of Proposition 2½.

Will the new system affect my right to seek an abatement or exemption?

No, these rights are unchanged. Once the actual tax bills are mailed, you will still be able to file an abatement application with the assessors if you wish to contest your assessment. Applications for abatement must be filed on or before April 1, 2012 unless the actual bills are mailed after December 31, 2011. In that case, abatement applications must be filed on or before May 1, 2012, or the 30th day after the bills are mailed, whichever is later. Applications for personal exemptions and the residential exemption must be filed within three months of the date the actual tax bills were mailed. All other exemption applications are due the same date as abatement applications.

 What is the assessed value of my property for the preliminary bill? 

The assessed value of your property for the preliminary bill is exactly the same as for the May 1, 2011 bill and unfortunately does not show on the preliminary. Your updated assessment will be on the Actual bill along with a new tax rate. Those bills will be mailed by December 31, 2011 and will be due by 4/1/12.

What is CP-CMPRACT?

This is the preliminary assessment for the Community Preservation Act adopted by voters at the November 2010 election.

If you have additional questions please contact the Assessors' Office at 413-665-1445 or the Collector's Office at 413-665-1444.