The Assessor is required by Massachusetts Law to list and value all real and personal property. Valuation is subject to ad valorem taxation on an assessment roll each year. The "ad valorem" basis for taxation means that all property should be taxed "according to value", which is the definition of ad valorem. Assessed values, in Massachusetts, are based on "full and fair cash value", or 100 percent of the fair market value.

Assessors are required to submit these values to the State Department of Revenue for certification every three years. In the years between certification, Assessors are also required to make interim adjustments to value each year to reflect the changing market. This assures that the taxpayer pays his or her fair share of the cost of local government, in proportion to the amount of money the property is worth, on a yearly basis rather than every three years.

The Plympton Assessors Office must appraise and assess approximately 1500 parcels of property. The Board of Assessors is required to annually assess taxes in an amount sufficient to cover the state and local appropriations chargeable to the Town. These taxes assessed will include state taxes which have been duly certified to the Board and Town taxes voted by the Town (including Proposition 2 1/2).

NOTICE: ASSESSORS BEGIN CYCLICAL INSPECTIONS (updated October 24, 2011)

The Department of Revenue (DOR) mandates that all cities and towns inspect their properties at least every nine years. This is to insure that the property data is correct in the computer-assisted mass appraisal system in order that values be calculated accurately. The collection and maintenance of current and accurate property inventory data is a critical element in determining uniform, fair market value. While the staff makes many property inspections during the year as a result of building permit activity and other changes to properties, including abatement requests, sales, and annual updates, some properties are not covered in these categories.

In order to meet the DOR’s requirement, the Assessors’ staff will conduct inspections for those properties that have not been visited within the last six years.

The staff will begin with single family residences. They will have a town identification badge. Property owners will be asked for a complete interior and exterior inspection of your property. Assessors’ staff will not enter a building where a minor is alone, and they will not take interior photos.

If a property owner is not home, an exterior inspection will be conducted and a notice will be left at the home asking the owner to contact the Assessor’s office to schedule an interior inspection.

The Board of Assessors wishes to thank Plympton residents in advance for their support of this effort to improve the accuracy of their records by completing this part of our cyclical inspection program. If you have any questions, you can contact the office at (781) 585-3227, email us at assessor@town.plympton.ma.us or stop by the office at 5 Palmer Road.

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