What if I cannot afford to pay my Real Estate taxes?

Pursuant to State Law, there are multiple programs that offer tax relief to qualifying property owners including state and local tax relief. A description of these programs can be found on the Property Tax Exemptions page.

Applications for these programs can be obtained by contacting the Town of Dennis Assessor's Office at 508-760-6139 or by going to the Assessors' Office at 685 Route 134, South Dennis, MA, or on the Property Tax Exemptions page. Applications must be filed annually with the Board of Assessors within three months of the mailing of the Third Quarter Tax Bill (January 1st of each year).

As a reminder, the mere filing of an application does not mean you can postpone the payment of your tax. It is important to note that tax deferral may be used in conjunction with other exemption programs.

Show All Answers

1. How do I change my billing address?
2. Why is the previous owner's name on the Tax Bill?
3. How does the Assessors’ Office determine the value of my house?
4. What does 100% of full and fair cash value mean?
5. How is Mass Appraisal different from a Fee Appraisal?
6. What is the basis for determining residential property values?
7. Why do land values change at different rates from building values?
8. Who verifies that the assessing model used by the Town and the resulting property values are accurate?
9. How do I dispute my assessed value if I think it is too high?
10. What do the assessors look at when determining an assessment?
11. Why should I let the Town Assessing Department into my house for an inspection?
12. How are Real Estate taxes calculated?
13. How is the town able to raise my taxes by more than the 2 ½ % limit prescribed by Proposition 2 ½?
14. What if I cannot afford to pay my Real Estate taxes?
15. Why has my tax bill gone up more than 2.5%? Doesn’t Proposition 2 ½ limit the tax increase?
16. My assessment increased more than 2.5%. Doesn’t Proposition 2 ½ limit the amount my assessment can increase?
17. My neighbor told me not to let a representative from the assessors’ office into my house. Do I have to let the assessors into my house?
18. My neighbor does not allow the assessors in and I do. Am I being penalized?
19. Why do the assessors want to see the interior and exterior of my property?
20. Why did my assessed value increase when I did not do anything to the property in 5 years and I am not selling the property?
21. What percentage of market value are the assessed values?
22. Why did my assessment change a different percentage than the assessment on my neighbor’s house?
23. My assessment increased 20%. Does that mean my taxes will increase 20%?
24. I think my assessment is out of line with my neighbors’ property, whose property is assessed lower. I want my assessment to be as low as theirs.
25. There is an item on my tax bill called “CPA Charge”. What is that?
26. There is an item on my tax bill called “WIIF Charge”. What is that?