MA Property Taxes: Tax Bills to Rise 4 Percent

NORTON, MA—Rents and property values are not the only living expenses spiking in the Commonwealth, property taxes are on the rise as well.

The Boston Globe reported Sunday that property taxes in the Commonwealth will see a 4 percent spike this year. According to its analysis of 328 of the state’s 351 communities, The Globe found that the average property tax bill has increased from an average of $5,232 in 2015 to an average of $5,438 in 2016.

Only 16 of the 328 reported municipalities will see property tax decreases in 2016. 46 of the 328 communities can expect increases of an average of 6 percent or more this year.

The increases have risen in accordance with rising home values. The averaged assessed value of a single-family home saw an increase of approximately 3.8 percent, according to the globe’s report.

Property tax bills in Norton will see an increase of $165 in 2016. The average tax bill for a single-family home is scheduled to increase from $4,583 to $4,748, a spike of 3.6 percent.

Although the increase may be steep, Norton’s spike pales in comparison to surrounding communities such as Easton, which is looking at a $291 average property tax increase.

Brooklyn will see the highest property tax spike in the Commonwealth according to the Globe’s data. The town’s tax bills will rise by $825 from 2015 to 2016, an increase of 5.93 percent.

Property tax increases vary across the state. Click here to see the status of your community.