Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 61a - Assessment and Taxation of Agricultural and Horticultural Land
Section 8 - Timely Filing of Application in Towns or Cities With Programs of Revaluation Not Completed by October 1 of Pre-Tax Year

Section 8. In any city or town in which a program of revaluation of all property therein has been or shall be undertaken and completed in time to be reflected in the assessments for the next succeeding tax year but not insufficient time to permit landowners to make application prior to October first of the pre-tax year for the valuation, assessment and taxation of their lands for the ensuing tax year on the basis of being actively devoted to agricultural or horticultural use, any such application which has been or shall be filed with the board of assessors after October first and not more than thirty days following the mailing of the tax bill containing the new valuation shall be deemed to have been timely made for the tax year of the revaluation program, notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary. If such application is approved and the lands qualify for valuation, assessment and taxation as lands actively devoted to agricultural, horticultural or agricultural and horticultural use in the ensuing tax year, that portion of any tax assessed for such year which is in excess of the tax which would have been assessed on such lands had such application been timely made and approved shall be abated.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part I - Administration of the Government

Title IX - Taxation

Chapter 61a - Assessment and Taxation of Agricultural and Horticultural Land

Section 1 - Land in Agricultural Use Defined

Section 2 - Land in Horticultural Use Defined

Section 2a - Land Used to Site Renewable Energy Generating Source

Section 3 - Land of Five-Acre Minimum Area Actively Devoted to Agricultural or Horticultural Uses Defined; Gross Sales and Program Payment Standard

Section 4 - Valuation of Land in Agricultural, Etc. Use; Contiguous Land; Tax Rate

Section 4a - Tax Rate for Land Actively Devoted to Agricultural or Horticultural Use

Section 5 - Contiguous Land Under One Ownership Within More Than One City or Town

Section 6 - Annual Determination of Eligibility for Valuation; Application; Form; Certification

Section 7 - Additional Assessment; Change in Use in Pre-Tax Year Between October 1 and June 30

Section 8 - Timely Filing of Application in Towns or Cities With Programs of Revaluation Not Completed by October 1 of Pre-Tax Year

Section 9 - Allowance or Disallowance of Application for Valuation; Notice; Liens

Section 10 - Factors to Be Considered in Valuing Land

Section 11 - Farmland Valuation Advisory Commission; Expenditures

Section 12 - Sale of Land or Change of Use; Liability for Conveyance Tax; Exemptions

Section 13 - Change of Use; Liability for Roll-Back Taxes

Section 14 - Sale for or Conversion to Residential or Commercial Use; Notice of Intent to City or Town; Option to Purchase; Assignment of Option

Section 15 - Taxation of Buildings and Land Occupied by Dwelling

Section 16 - Continuance of Land Valuation, Assessment and Taxation Under This Chapter Dependent Upon Qualifying Use

Section 17 - Separation of Land to Other Use; Liability for Conveyance or Roll-Back Taxes; Continuing Qualification of Remainder

Section 18 - Special or Betterment Assessments; Payment; Interest

Section 19 - Roll-Back Taxes; Procedures for Assessment; Appeal to Appellate Tax Board

Section 19a - Sale of Land; Certification of Taxes Paid or Payable

Section 20 - Valuation and Assessment for Purposes Other Than Provisions of This Chapter; Equalization

Section 21 - Factual Details on Tax List

Section 22 - Rules and Regulations; Forms and Procedures

Section 23 - Use of Valuation, Etc. Procedures to Evade Taxes; Penalties

Section 24 - Severability