February 2, 2009 is the last date to file FY 2009 real estate appeals in quarterly billed communities. FY 2009 3rd quarter tax bills are currently being issued for the February 2nd due date/appeal deadline. These are the first actual, appealed bills for most properties. Timely payment of the tax as assessed is critical to preserve appeal rights.
FY 2009 assessments reflect 100% of Fair Market Value of January 1, 2008. Massachusetts jurisdictions are allowed to adjust values between triennial community-wide revaluations. Since several Massachusetts jurisdictions may be inclined to follow politically motivated strategies to reduce 2009 residential values, a potential increase in taxes assessed to the commercial/industrial base should be protected against, especially in communities that have split tax rates. For more information, or to ensure your 2009 property tax assessment is being fairly assessed, please contact Rob McNamara, Managing Consultant of Paradigm Tax Group’s Boston office at 617-948-2533 or by email at rmcnamara@paradigmtax.com.