Assessing
Our mission is to accurately assess property and provide prompt and courteous help to the public. We determine the value of property in Boston for the purpose of taxation.
You can search FY 2019 Real Estate Assessments and Taxes through our online Assessing tool:
Contact
Tax Data Administration (TDA): 617-635-3783
Personal Property: 617-635-1165
Main Number: 617-635-4321
The City has many tax relief programs for homeowners who occupy their property as their principal residence. These include residential exemptions, personal exemptions, and a tax deferral program for seniors.
The online applications for exemptions and tax deferrals are available through Assessing Online starting January 1, 2019. Follow the instructions on Assessing Online to find applications for your property.
The Fiscal Year 2019 filing deadline for exemptions and tax deferrals is April 1, 2019.
Property owners can file an abatement application if they believe their property is overvalued, disproportionately assessed, improperly classified, or eligible for a statutory exemption. Applications are available through Assessing Online starting on January 1, 2019. Follow the instructions on Assessing Online to get an application for your property.
You can file an abatement application after we issue third-quarter bills in late December 2018. The Fiscal Year 2019 abatement application filing deadline is February 1, 2019.
In the coming weeks, assessors will be performing inspections at properties across the City that have not been inspected or sold in the last seven years.
These inspections may take place between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Representatives will carry a City of Boston photo ID and drive a City vehicle. Have questions or concerns? Please contact us at 617-635-4321.
Pay or view your bills online
Property data via Analyze Boston
Generate a Property Abutter Mailing List
FY 2019 3rd and 4th Quarter Taxpayer Information
Make a request for a property record card
How to file for a personal exemption
How to file your personal property tax return
Tax deferrals for seniors
Map of 2017 residential property sales
In November 2016, Boston voters approved the Community Preservation Act (CPA) by voting “yes” on Ballot Question 5. By adopting the act, the City has created a Community Preservation Fund.
The City finances the fund in part by a 1% property tax-based surcharge on residential and business property tax bills. You may see the surcharge on your property tax bills beginning with the Fiscal Year 2018 first-quarter tax bill in July 2017.
The City has tax incentive programs to advance its economic development and housing goals. These programs include Chapter 121A, Chapter 121B, Tax Increment Financing, and Special Tax Assessment.
We created a page to give you more information about these programs. You can also download active tax agreements with the City.
Many of Boston’s major schools, hospitals, and cultural institutions make a voluntary contribution to the City each year in the form of cash and community programs that uniquely benefit the City’s residents.
Each report presents in text, charts, and tables an overview of property taxes in the City of Boston. Through comparative and historical data, a taxpayer can compare Fiscal Year assessments and tax rates with those in earlier years and with those in other jurisdictions:
