The Abington Assessors' Office plays a vital role in ensuring fairness and accuracy across the Town’s tax base. By determining the full and fair cash value of all real and taxable personal property, the department ensures that every property owner pays only their fair share toward the cost of local government.
In addition to assessing property values, the office manages motor vehicle excise tax abatements, administers real estate exemptions for qualifying residents, and supports other Town departments by providing essential data and analysis. Through field inspections, market research, and public education, the Assessor’s team works year-round to maintain equity, transparency, and trust in the assessment process.
Property Valuation: The Assessor’s Office is responsible for valuing all real estate and taxable personal property in Abington, as required by Massachusetts law. Every property, from a small condominium to a large commercial site, is assessed at its full and fair cash value to ensure that all taxpayers contribute their fair share toward town services.
Excise Tax: The office commits motor vehicle excise tax bills, which are generated by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, and processes abatement applications when people get rid of a vehicle.
Real Estate Tax Exemptions: Staff review and process personal exemptions that provide tax relief for qualifying residents, including some seniors, disabled veterans, and residents who are legally blind.
Services and Impact
Residents and Businesses: The Assessor’s Office assists the public with questions about real estate property values, ownership, personal property, exemptions, and excise taxes.
Education: Staff assist residents in understanding how property assessments are determined and how they relate to the tax process. They create educational tools like the presentation: Your Taxes, Your Mortgage, and You!
Inspections: The office conducts inspections due to building permits, as part of the ongoing cyclical program, and to verify sales information.
Appraisal: Staff use market research, sales analysis, income and expense analysis and appraisal techniques to establish accurate property values and monitor trends.
Did You Know?
The Assessor’s Office visits nearly every property in Abington as part of its ongoing review process.
The data collected forms the foundation of the Town’s tax base, which supports local services.
They provide the data and functionality for the tax base which drives municipal revenues. Other Town departments frequently rely on assessing data for their own operations and planning.
Goals and Projects
Assessment: A major current project includes the valuation of a 198-unit apartment complex at 412 Summer Street.
Recertification: Fiscal Year 2026 was a Recertification Year, which occurs every five years. During this process, the Massachusetts Department of Revenue reviewed all assessment data and ensured equity and consistency across the community. Our valuations received approval from the Department of Revenue.
Classification: Each fall, the department prepares for the annual Classification Hearing, which determines how property values are distributed among residential, commercial, and industrial tax rates. As of FY26, as voted on by the Select Board, Abington has a single tax rate for both residential and commercial properties. Review the presentation.
Property Inspections
To keep property records accurate and fair, the Assessor’s Office conducts field inspections throughout the year. These visits help confirm details like building size, siding, and taxable features such as sheds or pools. Inspectors usually take updated photos of the front and back of each property.
If no one is home, they may complete an exterior review unless a gate or “No Trespassing” sign prevents access. Interior inspections take about 10 minutes and are only done when an adult is present. Homeowners don’t need to prepare. The goal is simply to verify that property information is correct.
Inspectors always carry Town ID. Employees either drive a Town vehicle with the Abington seal, or a car with an “Assessing Department” magnet. If anyone prefers not to have an inspection, they can politely ask the staff to leave.
These visits ensure that property data stays current so all residents are assessed fairly.
Staff Team
Jodie Hurst, Assistant Assessor
Jolanta Briffett, Deputy Assessor
Michelle Taft, Assessing Technician/Clerk