This homeowner saved almost $6000.
Brookline homeowner"Five, six thousand dolars helpful to anybody!"
This homeowner saved $7000.
Brookline homeowner"I think its fine. I put in a new oil burner and a new air conditioning system."
Where'd they get the money? These homeowners had been stunned at the size of their property tax bills, but instead of paying the price, they paid a visit to their town hall.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7NEWS"So people could be paying too much property tax?"
Marion Fantucchio, Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers"Thats right."
It's all about the value of your house and if you can prove yours is worth less than the town assessor thinks, that means you can get an abatement, and pay less tax.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7NEWS"Do you think most homeowners know about this?"
Marion Fantucchio, Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers"I would say probably not. It can make a huge difference."
How likely is it to happen? We checked tax assessors' offices across the state and found certain communities often say yes.
In Newton last year 75 percent of abatement requests were granted.
Elizabeth Dromey, Newton assessor"We certainly encourage people to come in and talk to us to make sure the information we have on the them is accurate."
It wasn't accurate for Robert Brandwein, he realized he was getting charged for this strip of his property thats over an underground stream. He can't build on it-so why should he pay full tax on it?
His bill was lowered by $853.
Robert Brandwein, Newton homeowner "The system worked wonderfully."
So who else is saying yes to most abatement applications? In recent years, Belmont okayed 80% of applications Athol almost 70%, Brockton and Gloucester grant more than they deny. So do Holden, Northboro, Sudbury, Quincy, Waltham, Wilmington and Westford.
But when Vicki insisted her tiny cape in North Reading was not worth $264,000–
Vicky Bey, North Reading homeowner "There must have been a mistake somewhere down the road"
Her town of North reading disagreed and she was turned down.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7NEWS"Will you try again?"
Vicky Bey, North Reading Homeowner "Well, yes because it's still wrong."
And we found she's not the only angry taxpayer, in recent years, North Reading denied 55 percent of applications. Boston almost 70 percent. Also saying no: Andover, Braintree, Medford, New Bedford Plymouth Saugus and Wellesley.
Are you paying too much tax? Check to see if there's a mistake in how your house or property was measured.
See if there's a problem with your land. Turns out these houses are on contaminated soil.
Ask if your community is using an out of date assessment, when was the last time an official actually inspected the inside your house?
And check whether sales prices of similar houses in your neighborhood are lowering your home's market value. But beware: your current tax bill isn't based on current values. State law bases this year's tax bills on 2007 sales.
Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7NEWS "So if somebody thinks their property is overvalued, would you suggest they ask for an abatement?"
Faye Ingraham, North Reading assessor "Absolutely. Because we want to take a look and we want to make everything fair and equitable for every taxpayer. "
If you think your house might be eligible to get an abatement for next year, click here for more information:
http://www.mass.gov/Ador/docs/dls/publ/forms/abatement.PDF
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