Personal Property is tangible property other than real estate such as machinery, livestock, furniture, pipelines, wires, poles, etc. Not limited to individuals, it includes property of partnerships, trusts, corporations, estates, etc. It is assessed tax separately from real estate, but is taxed at the same rate. The tax rate for the previous Fiscal Year 2018 was set at $14.24 per thousand dollars of value. The tax rate for the current Fiscal Year 2019 will be established later this year. Personal Property is taxable in the municipality where it is situated on January 1st of that year. However, items not permanently situated such as construction equipment may be taxed in the town where the owner is an inhabitant on January 1st. For information on items that may be exempt from the personal property tax, please contact the Assessor's Office.
Each year by March first taxpayers with taxable personal property must submit a true list of all non-exempt personal estate. Businesses must file a State Tax Form 2 (PDF) (Form of List). People with 2nd homes must file a State Tax Form 2HF (PDF) (Form of List). These forms are available at the Assessor's Office as well. A notice regarding these requirements is posted outside the Assessor's Office at the beginning of each calendar year.
If a form is not filed with the Assessors by March 1st, the Assessors will have to estimate the value of your personal property. Abatement requests can not be considered without the filing by March 1st of the required form.
Personal Property is valued by replacement cost new, less depreciation, based on age and condition. The same tax rate that applies to the real estate tax bills is applied to the personal property tax bills. Personal property bills are mailed and due on the same schedule as the real estate tax bills. Bills are mailed out twice a year, 2 quarterly bills at a time. The Fiscal Year 2019 began on July 1, 2018, and runs through June 30, 2019. Bills are due on a quarterly basis. The 1st quarter will be due on August 1, 2018, the 2nd quarter will be due on November 1, 2018. The 3rd quarter and 4th quarter actual tax bills will be mailed on December 31, 2018, and are due February 1, 2019, 3rd quarter, and May 1, 2019, 4th quarter.
If you disagree with the information on your actual tax bill, you may complete and submit the Application for Abatement State Tax (PDF) to the Assessor's Office within a specific time period. This form is also available in the Assessor's Office. The Actual tax bills will mailed on December 31, 2018. This starts the period in which abatement applications will be accepted up to and including the 3rd quarter bill due date of February 1, 2019. Abatement applications must be received in the Assessor's Office no later than the close of business day on February 1, 2019, or bear a U.S. postal mark of February 1, 2019 or prior. Late applications can not be acted upon by the Board of Assessors. These deadlines can not be extended or waived by the Assessors for any reason.
For further information, please contact the Assessor's Office at (978) 356-6603.