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1. What is the tax levy?

The property tax levy is the revenue a community can raise through real and personal property taxes. In Massachusetts, municipal revenues support local spending for schools, public safety and other public services, approved at Town Meeting. Revenue is raised through the property tax levy, state aid, local receipts and other sources. The property tax levy is the largest source of revenue for most cities and towns.

2. I sold / disposed of or totaled my car what do I need to file for an abatement?

In order to qualify for an abatement you must  provide ALL THREE of the following:

1. Motor Vehicle Excise Abatement Application completed

2.  Either a plate return receipt from the RMV OR a copy of the new registration showing the plate transferred to a different vehicle. 

3. Proof of sale (bill of sale or trade in agreement with the dealer) OR A receipt from junkyard (junked or totaled) OR receipt from a Charity (donation) OR if your car was totaled you need to provide a letter from the Insurance company proving the car was totaled and taken into their possession.

If all of the above three items are not provided an abatement cannot be granted. The latest date is used to calculate the abatement. If you sold your car on May 10 and didn't return the plate until July 10, the July 10 date is used to calculate the abatement. Abatements are prorated by the month, not the day. If you sold a car on May 10 or May 31 you are charged for the entire month of May.

Please refer to the Motor Vehicle Excise abatement application for further information. The above documentation can be emailed to Kathy Mills.

3. I disposed of a leased vehicle can I apply for an abatement?

No. The leasing company is considered the owner of the vehicle and they must apply for the abatement. You must discuss any reimbursement with your leasing company, not the Assessors office.

4. How is your assessment determined?

Assessors consider the market, cost and income approaches in the valuation of all vacant and improved parcels using the computer assisted mass appraisal system (CAMA) for Medfield. The assessors must develop a program to collect and analyze three categories of data: general, specific and comparative to be used in all approaches to value. 

General data consists of neighborhood characteristics, trends and factors which affect value. Specific data consists of site, external influences and improvement information. Comparative data consists of cost, sales, income and expense information. To understand the current market conditions, the assessors collect all sales data that has occurred in Medfield. 

The object of an assessment program is to establish "full and fair" cash value as of January 1. New construction / Building Permits are valued as of June 30.

5. How can the tax levy be increased?

 The levy limit is increased from year to year as long as it remains below the levy ceiling. For more information, view Tax Levy page.