Assessors

How AMP Energy's Proposed Solar Development Could Affect the Tax Rate

An analysis of how AMP Energy's initial financial proposal could affect Shutesbury's tax rate is available here.

 

Did you know?

There are 342 fireplaces and 194 wood stoves installed throughout the homes in Shutesbury. 

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT FISCAL YEAR 2021 TAX ABATEMENTS

The deadline to file an application for a Fiscal Year 2021 real estate or personal property assessment is 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 1st.

Applications (with a guide to fill one out ) are available on request from the Assessors' Office. Please call us at 413-259-3790 or e-mail us at assessor@shutesbury.org

Applications must be made using the proper state form.  Click here to download.

List of 2018-2019 real estate sales sales used in calculating FY21 assessments (click here)

 

Fiscal Year 2021 tax rate: $22.61/$1,000 of valuation

(Certified by MA Department of Revenue on 11/30/2020)

 

Fiscal Year 2021 Property Tax Information: (from the MA Department of Revenue [May 7, 2020])

"Assessors are required by Massachusetts law to assess all real and personal property at its fair cash value as of January 1 each year. Fair cash value correlates to fair market value, the price a willing buyer and a willing seller would settle upon in an open market transaction. Property assessments are retrospective in Massachusetts and based on the market conditions that occurred in the previous calendar year. The date of value for the assessments for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2021 reflects January 1, 2020.  Sales Analysis will demonstrates that assessments are at or near the statutory standard of fair market value and that there are not significant variances in assessment levels among the property classes. This is measured by an assessment to sales ratio with a median that must range between 90% to 110% for all classes. This requirement maintains an equitable approach to the allocation of the property tax burden. Finalizing assessments for Fiscal Year 2021, the assessor will review the real estate market in calendar year 2019. While it's not possible to completely ignore the financial collapse of certain businesses due to the COVID-19 crisis, the assessor is expected to minimize the influence of this new information by viewing through the eyes of market participant as of the assessment date, the beginning of the year."

 

===================================================================================

 

Notice of Virtual Public Hearing - Town of Shutesbury

Tax Classification Hearing

In accordance with Chapter 369 of the Acts of 1982, the Select Board will hold a public hearing at 5:45 PM on Tuesday, November 17, and continued at 6:20 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24, on the issue of allocating the local property tax levy among the classes of residential, open space, commercial, industrial, and personal property. All interested taxpayers are invited to attend and may present oral or written information on their views.

Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, Sec. 18, and the Governor’s March 5, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people who can gather in one place, this meeting of the Shutesbury Select Board will be conducted via remote participation. Instructions for participating in the virtual Public Hearing will be listed on the meeting agenda posted on the Town website.

 

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS PRESENTATION

==============================================================================================

Second Home Verification

The Assessors' Office is sending letters to owners of second homes in Shutesbury asking them to verify whether the property in question is a principal residence or a second home.

These letters are being mailed the week of November 17, 2020. These verifications are part of an audit the Department of Revenue has asked us to complete by our Fiscal Year 2023 recertification of values.

If you receive one, thanks in advance for responding to us by December 31, 2020.

======================================================================================

NOTICE: AS OF 3/18/20, SHUTESBURY TOWN HALL IS CLOSED INDEFINITELY DUE TO THE COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

During this closure, the Assessors' Office continues to function.  You may contact us by:

Our staff is in the Town Hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. The Administrative Assessor is available at other dates and times by appointment.

 

Board of Assessors meetings will take place through web conferencing, per Governor Charlie Baker's March 10, 2020 Executive Order.

=======================================================================================

 

The Board of Assessors is always willing to discuss individual assessments with property owners.

Please call the Assessors’ office with any questions or concerns.

 

Fiscal Year 2020 tax rate:  $24.04/$1,000 of valuation

Fiscal Year 2020 Assessed Values (alphabetical by property owner)

 

ONLINE GIS MAPS AND PROPERTY INFORMATION

 

Useful Information and links:

Department of Revenue - Division of Local Services' videos on municipal finance topics

Motor Vehicle Excise tax information

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Abatement Form

Information on documents needed when filing a Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Abatement Application

Personal Property tax & Exemption information and forms:  https://www.mass.gov/lists/pr

Property-tax-forms-and-guides

 

§

This reminder is for all Chapter 61 property owners that your applications are due on or before October 1st.  Recreational (61-B) and Agricultural (61-A) applicants are required to apply every year by October 1st.  If you are classified in Forestry (61) and have a Forest management plan which expires at the end of 2020, your completed application and updated forest management plan also should be received  by the Board of Assessors by October 1st.

 

Form of List (household)

 

Form of List (business)