Reading Assessor’s Office announces start of 2026 Abatement Season
(4-minute read)
The Town of Reading’s Assessor’s Office is reminding residents that Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Abatement Applications for FY2026 are now available. Applications can be accessed on the Assessor’s page of the Town website or picked up in person at the office.
The absolute deadline to file is February 2, 2026. Applications submitted after this date cannot be accepted under state law.
What is an abatement?
An abatement is a reduction in the assessed value of your real estate or personal property, which may lower the amount of taxes owed. Taxpayers may apply for an abatement if they believe their property has been overvalued or incorrectly classified.
Timely filed applications are accepted after actual tax bills are issued in December through the due date of the first actual payment, which is February 1. Any application received outside of this window is considered untimely and will be denied.
Reasons you may apply for an abatement
Residents may file for an abatement for the following reasons:
Overvaluation: You believe the assessed value does not reflect fair market value or contains errors.
Disproportionate Assessment: Your property appears to be valued at a higher percentage of market value than comparable properties.
Misclassification: Your property is not categorized correctly (e.g., wrong user type).
Statutory Exemption: Your property may qualify for exemption based on ownership or use, such as churches, charitable organizations, or educational institutions.
What happens after you file?
Once your application is received:
The Assessors have three months to review and act on it.
This review period may be extended with the taxpayer's written consent.
If no action is taken within the allotted time, the application is considered deemed denied.
Decisions are issued in writing:
Abatement Granted: You will receive an abatement certificate.
Abatement Denied: You will receive a formal denial notice.
All certificates or denial notices must be issued within 10 days of the Assessor’s decision
Applications can be found on the Town website here.
If you wish to appeal
Taxpayers who disagree with the Board of Assessors’ final decision may file an appeal with the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board (ATB). The ATB is a state-level quasi-judicial agency established in 1929 to streamline tax appeals and provide taxpayers with a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to the Superior Court.
Residents can learn more about the ATB and appeal procedures on the state website.
Flyer by the Town of Reading.
