Bill > H2555

This bill amends Chapter 61B of the Massachusetts General Laws to establish the use value of forest lands for general property tax purposes. The key provisions include: 1. The board of assessors in each city or town must determine the use value of land classified under Chapter 61B using the list of ranges published under Section 11 of Chapter 61A and their own knowledge, judgment, and experience regarding forest land values. 2. The assessment, collection, and payment of "roll-back taxes" (taxes owed when land is removed from classification under Chapter 61B) will be governed by the procedures for assessing and collecting omitted property taxes under Chapter 59, Section 75, rather than the standard property tax collection process. 3. Landowners must submit applications for land valuation, assessment, and taxation under Chapter 61B by October 1st of the year preceding the tax year, and the eligibility of the land must be reviewed at least every 10 years.

Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H2555