What are the current tax rates?
The current tax rates for fiscal 2008 are as follows: (per thousand)
     Town                          $ 12.26
     Fire District #1             $   1.55
     Fire District #2             $   2.01

What were last years’ tax rates?
The rates for fiscal 2007 were as follows: ( per thousand)    

     Town                         $  11.85
     Fire District #1             $   1.46
     Fire District #2             $   1.43

At what ratio is property assessed?
100% of full and fair cash value.

What does 100% of full and fair cash value mean?
The courts have defined this phrase to mean “current market value”.  Thus, in determining value, the Assessors seek to approximate what property would sell for on the open market, with an acceptable range of error.

How do I check the valuation of a property?
You can either call or come in to the Assessor’s office with the property location or owner’s name.

How do I check on the ownership of property?
Same as above.

Do you have a book and page reference?
Yes. The Assessors office lists a book and page reference on the property record card for most of the properties. Our records go back to approximately 1949. If the information is not available through our office, you would have to contact the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds, located in Northampton. You would need the year of the sale, and the name of either the buyer or the seller.

Can I find out when a property was sold?
Yes, you can find this information by either calling or coming in to our office. Please keep in mind that the Assessors office does not always have the most recent sales data.

Do you have sales reports?
Yes. The Assessors office creates these reports based on transfer information received from the Registry of Deeds.  The reports are available at the counter.

How do I change my mailing address for tax billing?
You must fill out an “address change form”. You can either do this in person at the Assessor’s office or the form can be mailed to you.

What is the assessment date of all property?
The assessment date is January 1st for the upcoming fiscal year. New construction (i.e. new homes, additions, sheds, decks, etc.) is assessed as of July 1st.

Whose name goes on the tax bill?
The name on the tax bill is the record owner(s) as of January 1st for the upcoming fiscal year.

If a property is sold, when will the bill reflect the new ownership?
As stated above the bills are shown with the record owner as of January 1st. Therefore, any transfer between January 2nd and December 31st will not be reflected on any tax bills until the following July 1st. However, if someone contacts our office for the current ownership, the new owner information will be provided.

How do I change a name on my property/tax bill?
The only ways to change a name on a property/tax bill is to either record a new deed or to provide the Assessors office with a probated will.

How often are tax bills issued?
Currently the Tax Collector's office mails the bill each quarter. Therefore, the bills are issued four times a year.

When are tax bills due?
Tax bills are due February 1st, May 1st, August 1st and November 1st.