I just purchased property this year. Why is the name(s) of the prior owner still on the tax bill?
Property tax assessments are billed on a fiscal year basis, from July 1 to June 30, with an effective date of the previous January 1. This means that the owner as of January 1 should legally appear on the tax bill: example, for fiscal year 2011, the effective date is January 1, 2010. However, since the Registry of Deeds has gone on-line, the office keeps track of transfers of property on a weekly basis. The office staff strives to make sure that the new homeowner receives a copy of the bill, but we also ask that new homeowners make sure that they receive a bill and to please contact us if they don't.
I sold property in Belmont. Why did I receive a tax bill?
Similar to the question above, but if the property in Belmont was sold and a tax bill was generated, please either contact us or return the tax bill letting us know that the property has been sold. The office staff strives to make sure that the new homeowner receives the copy of the bill, and, if a previous owner receives the bill, please contact our office so that we may change our records accordingly.
I have received the real estate tax bill, but name is misspelled. There is a TE or TC or JT between my last name and my first name?
For research of ownership by name purposes, the last name of the first owner on the deed is placed before the first name on the real estate tax bill. In between the last name and the first name is a designation as to the type of tenancy and ownership. Examples of tenancy and ownership are:
TE designated for Tenants by the Entirety
TC designated for Tenancy in Common
JT designated for Joint Tenancy
TRS designated for Trust
LE designated for Life Estate
The type of tenancy and ownership is usually found on the deed, and, for tracking of ownership purposes, the type of tenancy and ownership, and therefore designation, becomes part of the ownership record.
I have purchased a condominium but the tax bill is still assessed as a multi-family dwelling?
A property which was subdivided or converted to condominiums after January 1 will reflect the property's prior status. Thus, several new owners may be responsible for one tax bill. An apportionment of the tax bill may be requested from the Board of Assessors. A letter must be submitted by the taxpayer to initiate the process. Call the Assessors' Office at 617-993-2630 if there are any questions. A form to request a condominium apportionment is available on line, or you can click here.
How do I change the mailing address on my tax bill(s)?
The office will change the mailing address on real estate tax bills with written permission from the owner(s). The written request must include: property address, owners names, new mailing address, signature of owner(s) and date. Requests for mailing address changes are accepted through the mail or in person during normal working hours, which are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A form to request a change in mailing address is available on line, or you can click here.
If I have questions regarding payment of taxes, whom do I call?
Call the Treasurer's Office at (617) 993-2770.
Why did my assessment increase when I have done nothing to my property?
Assessments must be at market value. To arrive at "full and fair cash value" for a property, the Assessor must know what "willing sellers" and "willing buyers" are doing in the marketplace. The Assessor also must collect, record and analyze a great deal of information about property and market characteristics in order to estimate the fair market value, including keeping current on cost of construction in the area and any changes in zoning, financing and economic conditions which may affect property values. The Assessor uses the three nationally recognized appraisal approaches to value: cost, income and market. This data is then correlated into a final value.
The object of the valuation program is to estimate "full and fair cash value" as of January 1 (known as the "assessment date") prior to the fiscal year. For example, the assessment date for Fiscal Year 2011 is January 1, 2010.
How can my taxes increase?
When additional taxes are voted by the people, an individual's property tax bill will increase. Also, when market value increases, naturally, so does the assessed value. If improvements are made to a property, for instance: add a garage, add an additional room, the "full and fair cash value" and, therefore, the assessed value, would also increase. The Assessor has not created the value. People make the value by their transactions in the marketplace. The Assessor simply has the legal and moral responsibility to study those transactions and appraise the property accordingly.
How to file for an abatement on your FY2010 assessed value?
The following link which will launch into the "How to File for an Abatement on Your FY2011 Assessed Value" screen, which includes a link into an abatement application and the assessing database: click here.
If I have questions regarding assessments, filing an abatement application, tax relief programs (exemptions) from real estate taxes, or filing for an abatement on motor vehicle excise tax, whom do I call?
Call the Assessors' Office at (617) 993-2630.
| 
