Frequently Asked Questions

Assessors are responsible for estimating full and fair cash valuations and for classifying all property located within the community as of January 1 each year. Assessors prepare and maintain a property database that lists all taxable and non-taxable properties in the jurisdiction. Acting as revenue experts within the municipal finance team, they work collaboratively with other local officials to determine the annual property tax rates and participate in local tax policy decisions. Details about their roles and the guiding Mass General Laws can be found here.  

The assessing office is overseen by the Board of Assessors, which is responsible for approving valuations, vetting abatement applications, reviewing property tax exemptions, managing the overlay account, and providing new growth estimates during the budget process. The Mayor’s Office and City Council do not have authority or influence when it comes to property valuation.

The Principal Assessor and Board of Assessors are legally bound by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue’s general laws (MGL c. 59 §2A, 38) to value all property in the City of Northampton at 100% of its full market value. 

Under the law, the Assessor must take into account the data that has been collected from arms-length (market value) sales, property inspections, and building applications using the concept of Mass Appraisal (The systematic appraisal of groups of properties as of a given date using standardized procedures and statistical testing). Assessed values are driven by the real estate market and home values have risen approximately 12% on average between 2022 to 2023 and close to 50% on average since 2020. This in turn is the main factor in the rise of assessed values and the rise in your tax bill.

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue binds assessors to value all property in a given community at its full cash value. There is an official "Revaluation Year" that occurs every 5 years and "interim year" adjustments between those years. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue guides and approves values each year but in the "Revaluation Years," they work with and scrutinize the work of the Assessor's Office much more thoroughly to make sure all assessments are equitable and proportionate to the tax burden. FY2025 was an official revaluation year and the Department of Revenue approved the values. 

If you feel that your valuation is above true market value, please contact the Assessor’s Office by calling 413-587-1200. All abatement applications must be filed in the Assessor’s Office by the due date of the third quarter tax bills, usually February 1st. If February 1st falls on a weekend, then the following Monday is the due date. 

Abatement Info

Yes, there are exemptions for older adults over 70 years of age if they qualify financially. There is an income limit and an estate limit. It is $650 off the tax bill per year.