Real Estate Abatement Questions

What if you disagree with the Assessed value?

If you disagree with your assessment you are encouraged to contact the Assessors Office.  The assessing staff can provide information on the assessment process.  Data is available in the office and online for all properties in the Town.  If you find a discrepancy in the data on your property you can schedule an appointment to have a representative from the Assessors Office inspect your property. 

Information on all the assessments in the community is available in the Assessors’ Office and online on the Assessing Department webpage.

The appeal process is described on the tax bill.

What is the process to file an abatement application?

If you disagree with your value you can file an abatement application in the Assessors Office by the due date of the 3rd Qtr. Tax Bill. If your application is received any time after the due date, it is considered late with the following exception. Note that abatement applications will be considered as filed timely if they have a postmark on the envelope no later than February 1. This “postmark” rule applies only to those applications mailed to the proper address of the Assessors, first-class postage prepaid, with postmarks made by the United States Postal Service.

If the application is late, the Board of Assessors loses its jurisdiction to abate the bill. At that point, nothing can be done for the year in question. There are no exceptions.

After you file, you will be contacted by the Assessor’s Office to arrange for a complete interior and exterior inspection of your property. The inspection is an important part of our review of your application.  The Assessors have 3 months from the date of filing to act on your abatement.  You receive written notice regarding your application within 10 days of the Board’s action.

Please note that the tax bill is due and payable by the payment due date noted on the tax bill even if you file an abatement application. If you do receive an abatement, the abated amount will show as a credit on the fourth quarter or as a refund.

How do I file an abatement application?

You must file an application by the due date of the 3rd. qtr. Actual Tax Bill. Applications may be mailed to Assessor's Office, 100 Center Street, Pembroke, MA 02359 or emailed to jgigliotti@townofpembrokemass.org

Before you file, you should ask yourself three questions:

• Is the data on my property correct?
• Is my value in line with comparable properties?
• Is my assessed value in line with sale prices in my neighborhood for the relevant time period?

Remember that dissatisfaction with the amount of valuation increase and the resulting tax dollar increase is not grounds for receiving an abatement application. Filing an abatement application does not stay the collection of taxes. You must still pay your tax bill by the due date.

Where do I get a form to file an abatement application?

 Abatement applications are available on our website during the abatement application period. If you would like an application mailed to you, please contact the assessor's office at 781-293-2393.  

What happens if my abatement application is approved?

You will receive a notice indicating the amount of the abatement and a credit will show on your next (4th Qtr) tax bill.

What happens if my abatement application is denied or I do not agree with the Boards decision?

You can file an appeal within 3 months from the date the Board acted on your abatement:
State Appellate Tax Board
Saltonstall Building
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02202
(617)-727-3100

You must pay your taxes pending your appeal.