Town Of Chelmsford: Fiscal Year 22 Property Tax Bills

Press release from the Town of Chelmsford:

January 7, 2022

By now residents should have received their FY2022 Q3 Tax bills, and may have noticed significant increases in their property value, FY2021 vs. FY2022.  As many know, assessed property values are based on our determination of a property’s Fair Market value.  Assessors determine property values based on universally accepted standards established by the American Appraisal Institute and Massachusetts law that specifies how the assessment process must be conducted. Results are checked using standardized statistical testing methods to arrive at a market value for a specific property type. The Department of Revenue reviews our work and must certify that all real estate values meet the legal standard of being at “full and fair cash value” before the annual tax rate can be finalized.  

This year as a result of the overheated residential property and construction real estate market we have experienced over the last 18 months, property value assessments are higher than in the recent past.  The average residential property value increased approximately 5.8% while commercial/industrial increased by about 3.2%.  Your specific bill may reflect a higher or lower percentage increase because your property may not exactly match the market average for your property type.  

We encourage all property taxpayers to examine the bill they just received.  You will find your Property Description and value at center-left of your bill.  If you feel that the valuation is incorrect, please call the Assessors’ office at 978-250-5220.  The staff will be happy to discuss your situation and the factors that contribute to your property’s current valuation.

If you feel that your property has been over-valued, we encourage you to file an Abatement Request with our office.  The form can be obtained from our website, https://www.townofchelmsford.us/119/Assessors, or you can pick one up at our office during normal business hours.  If you do that, our staff will be happy to answer any questions you have with regard to preparing the form.  Please remember that we must receive an abatement request at our office, postmarked no later than February 1, 2022 in order for it to be considered.

Please also take a moment to review the yellow sheet, Property Tax Exemption Guidelines for Fiscal Year 2022 that was included with your tax bill mailing.  This lists all of the available exemptions that are available to taxpayers along with the qualifications for filing.  Filling forms may be obtained from the Assessor’s office or online.  Exemption requests must be received by our office, postmarked no later than April 1, 2022 in order to be considered.

Thank you

Board of Assessors

This press release was produced by the Town of Chelmsford. The views expressed here are the author’s own.