Description of Services

The Assessor's Office Keeps records which are available for public viewing, including: Tax Maps, individual property assessing information, and copies of Deeds (back to 1980, which are free to homeowners).

The Assessor's Office is responsible for listing and valuing all real and personal property.  Assessed values are based on "full and fair cash value", or 100% of fair market value. Assessors do not raise or lower taxes, or set the tax rate.  Assessors reassess values each year so that the property taxpayer pays his or her fair share of the cost of local government, in proportion to the amount of money the property is worth.   Property  and Excise Tax Bills are issued by the Tax Collector.  Property Tax bills are based on a Fiscal Year (July1 to June 30), and are issued on a Quarterly basis (4 times per year).  At the Assessor's Office you can also obtain a Passport

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Contact Information

Additional Information

Real Estate Tax Abatement Applications For FY 12 must be received by the Assessors' Office

no later than February 1, 2012

 

The Real Estate Tax Bill you received the first week of January 2012 includes the Payment Vouchers for the February and May quarterly payments.  Return the top voucher with your February payment and the bottom voucher with your May payment.  The Assessors office will not mail additional vouchers for May payments.

 

 

 

The Assessor is required by State law to use comparable property valuations from Calendar Year 2010, in setting property assessments for Fiscal Year 2012.

 

If you disagree with the valuation of your property, you may file for a Tax Abatement, which must be done within 30 days of the receipt of the First Actual Tax Bill of the Fiscal Year, which usually issues in early January.  

If you believe there is an error on your tax bill, you can contact the Assessor, who may visit your property to verify your conditions.

You may Qualify for a Tax Exemption.  Massachusetts Provides tax exemptions for Elderly (over 70), Veterans, Blind Persons, and surviving Spouse/Minor Children of a Police Officer or Firefighter killed in the line of duty. 

Seniors may also qualify for an Elderly (over 65) Tax Deferral, or for the "Circuit Breaker " Tax Credit.  The "Circuit Breaker" Tax Credit allows Homeowners and Renters who are age 65 before January 1, 2002, to claim a Tax Credit for a part of their Real Estate Taxes paid, on their Massachusetts Income Tax Return.  For more information on conditions and limitations, contact the Council on Aging or consult your tax professional.  This Credit is claimed on your State Income Tax Return.

Seniors may also qualify for the Tax Work-Off Program, where the Real Estate Tax owed may be reduced by up to $500, by working at the Town Hall in a variety of clerical positions..  For more information, please fill out the Tax Work-Off Application and bring it to the Assessors' Office.

Need more information about Tax Abatement, Tax Exemption and other Tax Relief?

Want to obtain copy of your Deed?

Want to declare your property a Homestead?

 

Passports

Passports is a service provided by the Assessor's Office. The Assessor's Office will process Passports on Tuesdays from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Fridays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, or by appointment.   The Assessor's Office has Passport Application Forms.  The Assessor's Office also has Passport Renewal Forms.   Make sure you fill out the correct form (First Time, Renewal, Adult, Minor, etc.).

It takes at least 4 to 6 weeks to receive the Passport.  If you need it sooner, follow this link

International Airlines and cruise ships stopping at ports-of-call outside US territory require a passport. Travelers should check to be sure you have the correct type of Passport document: Passport Book or Passport Card.

Passport Book is valid for international travel by land, air and sea.

Passport Card is valid when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. Not valid for international travel by air.

For a comparison of the Passport Book vs. the Passport card, click here

         Current fee structure:         Passport Book               Passport Card

            First Time Applicants
            16 and older                      $75.00                            $20.00
            Under 16                           $60.00                            $10.00

These fees are payable to US Department of State.

There is also an Execution Fee of $25 per Application, payable to the Town of Townsend.

There are special rules for Minors 16 or under - remember both parents must be present when applying for a Passport, or sign a notarized consent form. 

There are also special rules for 16 & 17 year olds.

For more detailed information consult http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738_2.html  or call the Assessor's Office at 978-579-1706.

Forms are now on line for your convenience:

Declaration of Homestead  (1 page .pdf, 55 Kb)  Follow this link for more information on Declaring a  Homestead

Declaration of Homestead Elderly (1 page .pdf, 55 Kb)  Follow this link for more information on Declaring a  Homestead

Application for Abatement of Real Property or Personal Property Tax  (2 page .pdf, 103 Kb)   Follow this link for more information on Tax Relief

Application for Abatement of Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise (1 page .pdf, 50 Kb)    Follow this link for more information on Tax Relief

Application for Statutory Exemption (4 page .pdf, 180 Kb)   Follow this link for more information on Tax Relief