Board of Assessors

The Assessor's office comes under the direct supervision of a 3 member elected Board of Assessors. This office is mainly responsible for assessing of property both real and personal. The Assessors and staff pledges its efforts toward the accomplishment of the following objectives:

• The attainment of tax equity whereby each taxpayer pays only their fair share of the tax burden.
• The maximization of tax base growth revenues.
• Timely tax billing.
• The administration of the property and excise tax systems through prompt, courteous, honest and thorough services with the highest line of competence and professionalism.
• Public access to real property parcel information (Property field card records)

Assessors

Assessors do not raise or lower taxes. They do not make the laws which affect property owners. Assessors are required to annually assess taxes in an amount sufficient to cover the State and Local appropriations chargeable to the city/town.

The local Assessor’s Office has nothing to do with the total amount of taxes collected. The Assessor’s primary responsibility is to find the “full and fair cash value” of your property so that the taxpayer may pay only his/her fair share of taxes.

For information regarding assessments please contact the local Board of Assessors. Additional information and/or questions may also be obtained from the Department of Revenue, Division of Local Services, 617-626-2300.

Abatements

Each year, property owners around the Commonwealth are required to pay taxes assessed by the local board of assessors. These taxes are based on the “full and fair cash value” of the property. All taxpayers have the right to file for an abatement of their taxes if they believe the property has not been fairly assessed.

Deadlines

Applications for abatements are due on or before the due date for payment of the actual bill, February 1st. (See helpful instructions when filing your abatement)

Exemptions

An exemption releases an individual from the requirement to pay all or a fraction of their property tax obligations. Exemptions are available to those individuals that meet the various requirements in the following categories:

• Elderly
• Disabled Veteran
• Blind
• Widows and/or Widowers

Applications for tax exemptions can be obtained from the tax assessors office. Applications for personal exemption are due on December 15 or within 3 months of the mailing date of the actual tax bill.

Appeals

If you are not satisfied with the action taken by the local Board of Assessors office regarding your request for abatement and/or exemption, you have the right to appeal to the state Appellate Tax Board, 100 Cambridge Street-2nd Floor, Boston, Ma 02114. If you have any questions or would like to request an application of appeal, you may also call the Appellate Tax Board at (617) 727-3100.

Disclaimer

The Westport Board of Assessors presents the information on this web site as a service to the public. We have tried to ensure that the information contained in this electronic search system is accurate, but updated information is received continuously at the Board’s office while this site receives only periodic updates. The Board makes no warranty or guarantee concerning the accuracy or reliability of the content at this site or at other sites to which we link. Assessing accuracy and reliability of information is the responsibility of the user. Questions should be addressed directly to the Board of Assessors by phone, mail, or visit. The Westport Board of Assessors shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for any damages in connection with the use of the information contained herein.