Assessors Office
Here is a list of questions the Assessors Office answers on a regular basis. We try to keep this as up to date as possible. If you can't find the answer to one of your questions, feel free to ask us. See the "Contact Information" section on our department home page for how to contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Excise Tax
- I have turned my vehicle back in to the leasing company, may I apply for the abatement?
No, the application for abatement must be filed by the leasing company. It is the responsibility of the registered owner to file. If you wish to initiate an abatement please get in contact with your leasing company.
- I sold my car; do I still owe this bill?
- If I move from Sudbury to another municipality in Massachusetts, to which community do I pay my bill?
First and foremost, notify the Registry of Motor Vehicles, as soon as you move http://www.mass.gov/rmv/ and effectuate your change of address. Excise in Massachusetts is not prorated based on moving from one town to another. You pay one city or town a year. It is whichever the vehicle was being registered from on January 1st, or in the case of a newly registered vehicle, on the date of registration. Unlike insurance excise rates do not vary throughout the state. If you are billed from the incorrect community, call the Assessors Office in that community, and ask what is required in terms of getting the bill corrected.
- If I move out of state, do I still owe the bill?
The bill should in most cases be paid as issued. Once you have re-registered your vehicle in the new state and cancelled your Mass. registration http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/rmv/ you should apply for an abatement with our Office, a refund will then follow. The documentation to be provided should be: a photocopy of the registration in the new state, and a copy of your Mass. plate return receipt. The documentation should be mailed to: Town of Sudbury, Assessors Office, 278 Old Sudbury Rd., Sudbury, Mass. 01776, or faxed to 978-639-3314.
- If I paid less for my car than the value on the bill, is there an error?
- Most likely not! Valuations for excise tax purposes are not based on individual purchase prices. Excise valuations are based on specific, predetermined percentages of the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (M.S.R.P.). The M.S.R.P. is reported in the National Automobile Dealer's Association (N.A.D.A.) guide. The fact that an individual may secure a particularly good deal on a vehicle has no bearing on valuations for excise tax purposes.
- Once the M.S.R.P. has been established for a vehicle, I am interested in purchasing; how can I determine how much I will have to pay in excise tax?
Property Value
- Does the Assessor need to inspect my house?
- By state mandate every property in the state of Massachusetts has to be inspected by a representative of the local Assessors Department at least every ten years. Our property inspections are ongoing, and are systematically organized to conform to the 10 year visitation cycle. Letters to property owners are mailed requesting a phone call to our office to schedule an inspection. We make every attempt to provide a convenient appointment schedule for property owners. The inspection lasts only fifteen minutes or so. An interior property inspection is an important factor in determining an equitable and accurate assessment for your property. You should expect to be hearing from us if it has been a while since your property was last inspected.
- How is new construction assessed?
- New construction is assessed each year based on the percentage of completion as of June 30th. However, the preliminary bills are based on the previous years total tax, which in many cases is just for the land. The third and fourth quarter bills make up the difference once the assessment for the building is calculated. As well, certain new construction is subject to a supplemental tax bill from the certificate of occupancy date through the end of that fiscal year. The Town of Sudbury adopted Chapter 203, The Supplemental Tax Assessment on new Construction Law as of Fiscal Year 2002.
- What should I do if I think my assessment is too high?
- Why does my assessment change if I don't make any changes to my house?
The assessed value is a reflection of the real estate market as of a fixed point in time each year. Assessors in the state of Massachusetts are obliged to track property sales and to update property values in accordance with Mass. General Laws.