How to lower your property tax bill

BOSTON — The median annual property tax payment in Massachusetts is almost $4000, the seventh highest in the United States.

If you think your bill is too high, you might be right. Fox 25 uncovered steps you can take to save you money on your next bill and it starts with just speaking up.

Bill Gassett is a real estate agent with Remax Executive Realty in Hopkinton.  He said he is seeing more and more people fighting city hall over their home tax assessment, "what ends up happening is they'll get their assessed value and they'll look at it and if it does not seem right - they can go in a try to challenge that with the town."

Gassett shared some steps to take to challenge your home tax assessment:

GO TO CITY HALL
Pull your field card from your city or town and check it for accuracy and look for mistakes. 
Check for accuracy related to:
-bedroom count
-bathroom count
-lot size
-square footage of house
-is there a garage?

RESEARCH  
If your field card information is correct and you still feel like something is wrong, Gassett reccomended: 
- research properties that are similar to yours and see what the assessed value of those homes are
- if you see a discrepancy between their value and your value, then there could be a mistake

SPEAK WITH TOWN / CITY ASSESSOR
Once you have your research done, Gassett said to meet with the town assessor and point out any mistakes or concerns and make appropriate adjustments.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
If you do not challenge your assessment in the beginning of the year, Gassett said your out of luck until the following year.

TAX EXEMPTIONS
Many people are eligible for tax exemptions on their homes.

For more information, click here.

Cox Media Group