Explanation of Abatement: Reduction in Taxes
An abatement is a reduction is the tax assessed on your property for the fiscal year. You may apply for an abatement if you believe your property is: Overvalued, Disproportionately Assessed, Classified Incorrectly or Partially or Fully Exempt.
If a taxpayer does not agree with the assessed valuation of their property, the first step would be to talk to an Assessor and review their property record card. After speaking with an Assessor, if the taxpayer still disagrees with the assessment, an abatement application must be completed in full and timely filed.
Instruction are provided on the back of the Abatement Application (PDF). It is important to note that the assessed value shown on the tax bill is based upon an assessment date of the previous January 1; not the date when the tax bill is received.
The Assessors are prevented by law from granting abatements unless timely filed. The application must be post marked no earlier than January 1st or received in the Assessors Office no later than February 1st.
The Assessors have three months, from the date the abatement application is filed, to take action. You will receive written notification of the decision.