Deadline looms for filing property tax abatements

Deadline looms for filing property tax abatements - Daily Business Update - The Boston Globe

I am one of many Brookline home owners who plans on filing for an abatement on my property taxes this year. I've discussed this before in this blog, but want to take a second to remind people that it is important that they know constantly the relative value of their homes. Not only for tax payments (an automatic additional charge to most mortgage payments) but for financial planning purposes (April 15 isn't that far away!). I used the example of my building, 8 almost identical units, in which two units lie on each floor. On my floor we have the highest and lowest property tax assessment in the building, but our two units were the most expensive and most recent sales in the building. There is nothing that should swing the two assessments out of whack, which is why I plan on filing my abatement.

There are many important steps you should take before you apply. First, follow the link in the Globe's story to the Secretary of State's information page. Second, ask someone to help you build a case for the comparable value of your home. DO NOT just go on a site like Zillow or base it off of that house or condo that sold down the street. Ask someone for a CMA or hire an appraiser to come in. These will both be useful for any of you who are hoping to refinance your mortgages. If you need help with a CMA please feel free to contact me by following the link in the welcome message at the top of the page or by calling me at 888.731.8875.

You can find the forms you need at the Town of Brookline's website. While you're looking at the forms, make sure you are getting the Residential Tax Exemption on your property. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment here.