City of Boston Property Tax Records: Free Parcel, Tax Bill, Assessment, Exemption & Deed Lookup Guide
Boston property tax records are split between the City’s Assessing Department, Tax Collection office, and Suffolk County Registry of Deeds. Use Boston Property Lookup for assessed value, ownership, parcel and tax information; use the City’s tax payment website for prior invoices and payment status; use MassLandRecords Suffolk for deeds, mortgages, plans and recorded land documents. This guide gives you the practical route without making you guess which Boston office handles each record.
Fastest Way to Search City of Boston Property Tax Records
Boston Property Tax Records Are Split by Record Type
Boston’s online tools are helpful, but each one answers a different question. Start with the office that owns the record you need.
| Your Task | Correct Route | What to Enter | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find assessment, parcel, owner or tax summary | Boston Property Lookup / Assessing | Street address or parcel ID | Assessed value, location, ownership, parcel details and tax information. |
| Pay or view a real estate tax bill | Tax Collection / online payment site | Bill number, ward/parcel or payment information | Online payment, previous invoices, payment options and bill support. |
| Find deed, mortgage, plan or recorded land document | Suffolk County Registry of Deeds / MassLandRecords | Grantor/grantee, property address, book/page, plan, certificate or document details | Recorded land documents, registered land records, plans and free online images. |
| Apply for residential exemption | Assessing / Boston Property Lookup | Property search result, eligibility documents and application | Possible reduction by excluding a portion of value from taxation for a qualifying primary residence. |
| Challenge value or tax assessment | Real Estate Tax Abatement | Current fiscal year application after Q3 bill, evidence and information requisition forms | Assessing review within three months; possible appeal to Appellate Tax Board after decision. |
How to Search Boston Property Tax Records by Address or Parcel ID
Boston Property Lookup is the City’s direct search tool for detailed property information, including assessed value, location, ownership and tax information for parcels in Boston.
Address
Best first step when you only know the street address. Try fewer words if the full address does not return the right result.
Parcel ID
Use this when you have the ward/parcel details from a tax bill, old record, property card or city communication.
Taxes + Value
Use the result to confirm assessed value, ownership record, parcel location and tax/exemption sections.
1
Open Boston Property LookupUse address or parcel ID.
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Open Boston Property Lookup. Search by property address or parcel ID. If the address has a unit, condo, hyphen or directional street name, try a simpler version first.
2
Open the correct parcel resultBoston has many condo and multi-parcel addresses.
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Verify street address, owner/taxpayer record, parcel ID, assessed value, building/property details, tax/exemption section and any related bill links. For condo parking spaces, check whether there is a separate tax bill.
3
Use the Taxes and Exemptions sectionNeeded for abatement and exemption forms.
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Boston makes abatement and exemption applications available through Boston Property Lookup after third-quarter tax bills are issued. Look under the Taxes and Exemptions or Abatements/Exemptions section when the filing period is open.
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Contact Assessing when the record looks wrongAssessing handles value, ownership record, exemptions and abatements.
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Assessing Department: 1 City Hall Square, Room 301, Boston, MA 02201-2011. Main contact: 617-635-4287. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM.
How to View, Pay or Verify City of Boston Real Estate Tax Bills
Boston uses a quarterly real estate tax billing system. The first two bills are preliminary estimates based on the prior fiscal year, and the third-quarter bill reflects the actual fiscal-year value and tax rate.
Due Aug. 1
First-quarter preliminary bill issued July 1; due August 1 or next business day.
Due Nov. 1
Second-quarter preliminary bill issued October 1; due November 1 or next business day.
Due Feb. 1
Third-quarter actual bill issued in late December or January; abatement period opens after this bill.
Due May 1
Fourth-quarter bill issued April 1; due May 1 or next business day.
1
View your bill onlineUse the official Boston payment route.
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Start from How to pay your real estate taxes or the Tax Collection page, then use the official Pay or View Your Bills Online link.
2
Choose payment method carefullyACH avoids the card service fee.
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Boston says electronic check/ACH payments are not subject to a service fee. Debit or credit card payments incur a non-refundable service fee of 2.75% of the total payment amount, with a $1.00 minimum. The online service is closed daily from 11 PM to 12 AM.
3
Pay by phone if neededYou need the bill number.
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Boston’s pay-by-phone system is available 24/7 at 855-731-9898. You need your bill number, found next to the ward and parcel numbers. If the bill number has fewer than six digits, add leading zeros.
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Mail payment only with the bill stubUse the City’s payment box address.
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Make check or money order payable to City of Boston. Detach and include the bottom part of the real estate or personal property tax bill. Mail to: City of Boston, Box 55808, Boston, MA 02205.
How to Find Boston Deeds, Mortgages, Plans and Recorded Land Records
Boston land records are searched through the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds on MassLandRecords. This is the correct source for recorded deeds, mortgages, registered land certificates, plans and older book/page history.
| Record Need | Best Search Method | Important Boston / Suffolk Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded land deed or mortgage | Name Search, Book Search, Book/Page | Recorded Land from 1973-present is indexed and imaged. Search grantor/grantee by last name then first name. |
| Address-based search | Office: Recorded Land; Search Type: Property Search | Address search is useful for recent records but less complete the farther back you go. |
| Older books | Unindexed Property Search | Images of older books dating back to 1800 are available by book or book/page. |
| Registered land | Registered Land / Certificate Search | If an older certificate or document is unindexed, call the Registered Land Counter at 617-788-6251. |
| Plans | Office: Plans; Book Search | Most Recorded Land plans are available by book search; plans from 2004-present can also be searched by name and address. |
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Use Boston Property Lookup first if you only know the addressCollect parcel and owner clues before deed search.
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Copy owner name, property address, parcel ID, legal or tax clues, and sale/transfer clues. Then search Suffolk Registry records by name, property search, book/page or document history.
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Open Suffolk MassLandRecordsUse this for recorded documents, plans and registry records.
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Open Suffolk County Registry of Deeds on MassLandRecords. Select the correct office and search type: Recorded Land, Registered Land, Plans, Name Search, Property Search, Book Search or other available route.
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Use the right address formatStreet abbreviations can break search results.
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For Suffolk property search, enter the street number and street name. If the full address does not work, search complete and separated street numbers for hyphenated addresses, and omit street suffix words like ST, RD, AVE or BLVD.
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Allow pop-ups for printing/downloadingMassLandRecords uses pop-ups.
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MassLandRecords notes that searching and document viewing are free, and printing/downloading is free at this time. The site uses pop-ups for printing and downloading and Adobe Reader for some outputs.
Boston Residential Exemption and Other Property Tax Relief Records
Boston’s residential exemption can reduce a qualifying homeowner’s tax bill by excluding part of residential value from taxation. The exemption is applied to the third-quarter tax bill issued in late December.
Own + live there
You may qualify if you own and occupy the property as your principal residence.
April 1, 2027
Boston lists April 1, 2027 as the FY2027 residential exemption application deadline.
Up to $4,353.74
Boston says last fiscal year’s residential exemption saved qualified homeowners up to this amount.
No postponement
Filing an exemption application does not let you stop paying quarterly tax bills.
1
Wait until third-quarter bills are issuedApplications appear after Q3 bills.
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Search your property in Boston Property Lookup after third-quarter bills are issued. If eligible, a printable application link appears under the Abatements/Exemptions or Taxes and Exemptions section.
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Submit to AssessingUse City Hall or mail.
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Submit the completed residential exemption application and supporting documents to Assessing Department, Room 301, 1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201. You can also contact TRAC at 617-635-4287 for status or requirements.
How to File a Boston Real Estate Tax Abatement
A real estate tax abatement is a request to reduce your property taxes. Boston allows abatement applications only for the current fiscal year, after the third-quarter tax bill and by the posted deadline.
| Abatement Step | Official Boston Rule | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Filing window | After third-quarter tax bill and no later than February 1, 2027 for the listed FY2027 page. | Do not file before Q3 bill; do not wait past deadline. |
| Tax year | You can only file for the current fiscal year. | Previous-year abatement requests are not accepted through this route. |
| Application source | Applications are available through Boston Property Lookup after Q3 bills are issued. | Open your property and click the tax/exemption section when active. |
| Information requisition | If requested information is not provided within 30 days, the application can be denied. | Return every form and supporting document on time. |
| Review period | Assessing has three months to review and respond. | Track submission date and decision notice. |
1
Collect evidence before filingExplain why value or classification is wrong.
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Useful evidence can include recent sales, appraisal support, condition photos, incorrect square footage, incorrect property class, income/expense support for certain properties, or proof that a statutory exemption should apply.
2
Download the application from Property LookupOnly after Q3 bill issuance.
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Open Boston Property Lookup, find your property, and use the Taxes and Exemptions section when abatement applications are available.
3
Mail or bring forms to City HallRoom 301 / TRAC support.
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Mail or bring the abatement application and required forms to Assessing Department, Room 301, 1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201. Boston also allows in-person completion at City Hall during Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM office hours.
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Know the Appellate Tax Board routeIf Assessing denies or under-grants.
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If you disagree with the Assessing Department decision, Boston notes you have three months from the decision date to appeal to the Appellate Tax Board. The board is at 100 Cambridge Street, 2nd Floor Suite 200, Boston, MA 02114, phone 617-727-3100.
Massachusetts Consumer Notification Service for Recorded Documents
Massachusetts offers a free Consumer Notification Service that alerts property owners by email when a new document is recorded matching their registered property information.
Up to 3 residential properties
The service is provided at no cost to Massachusetts residential property owners and allows registration of up to three properties.
Alert, not prevention
The service notifies you after a matching recording; it does not block recording or replace title insurance, legal advice or registry review.
If Your Boston Property Tax Record Search Fails
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Property Lookup does not find address | Condo unit, address formatting, hyphenated number, old street name or parcel mismatch. | Try fewer address words, parcel ID, street number only, or call TRAC for ward/parcel help. |
| Tax bill shows old owner | Tax bill name is based on owner on January 1 before the fiscal year. | Check Suffolk deed records for the recorded sale and contact Assessing if the roll needs update review. |
| Condo owner has two bills | Condo unit and parking space can be billed separately. | Pay both bills if you have Class CD and Class CP records tied to the full property value. |
| MassLandRecords address search fails | Older records may not have reliable address indexing. | Search grantor/grantee, book/page, or split hyphenated street numbers into separate searches. |
| Need current-year tax support | Different offices handle current year and prior years. | Call TRAC at 617-635-4287 for current fiscal year; call Collector’s office at 617-635-4131 for previous years. |
Boston Property Tax Records Office Map
Use this map for Boston City Hall. Assessing and Tax Collection are both City Hall routes, but different rooms and windows handle different tasks.
Assessing Department
1 City Hall Square, Room 301, Boston, MA 02201-2011. Phone: 617-635-4287. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM.
Tax Collection
1 City Hall Square, Window M-30, Boston, MA 02201-2004. Phone: 617-635-4131. Use for bill/payment collection support.
Suffolk Registry
Use MassLandRecords Suffolk for Boston deed, mortgage, registered land and plan research. Registered Land Counter: 617-788-6251.
Practical Boston Property Tax Record Tips That Save Time
Use these before checking property in Back Bay, Dorchester, Roxbury, South Boston, East Boston, Charlestown, Jamaica Plain, Brighton, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roslindale, West Roxbury, Beacon Hill or the Seaport.
Ward/parcel matters
Address search is easy, but parcel ID/ward-parcel is cleaner for tax and internal City help.
Third-quarter bill is key
Actual values, actual tax rate, abatement filing and many exemption application links are tied to the Q3 bill period.
Do not skip condo parking bills
Boston says condo unit owners may receive separate bills for a unit and parking space. Pay both if both apply.
Use Suffolk Registry for deed proof
Tax ownership can lag; recorded deeds and registered land documents are checked through MassLandRecords Suffolk.
ACH avoids the card fee
Boston says e-check/ACH is not subject to a service fee, while debit/credit cards carry a 2.75% fee.
Do not wait on abatements
The filing window is short and starts after Q3 bills. Prepare value evidence before late December.
City of Boston Property Tax Records FAQs
QHow do I search City of Boston property tax records for free?▾
Use Boston Property Lookup to search by address or parcel ID. It provides property details including assessed value, location, ownership and tax information for Boston parcels.
QWhere do I view or pay a Boston real estate tax bill?▾
Start from Boston.gov Tax Collection or the “How to pay your real estate taxes” page and use the official Pay or View Your Bills Online link. You can also pay by phone at 855-731-9898 with your bill number.
QWhen are Boston quarterly property tax bills due?▾
Boston quarterly real estate tax bills are generally due August 1, November 1, February 1 and May 1. If the first of the month falls on a weekend, the bill is due the following Monday.
QIs there a fee to pay Boston property taxes online?▾
Boston says electronic check/ACH payments are not subject to a service fee. Debit or credit card payments incur a non-refundable 2.75% service fee, with a $1.00 minimum.
QWhere do I find Boston deeds and mortgage records?▾
Use Suffolk County Registry of Deeds through MassLandRecords. Recorded Land records from 1973-present are indexed and imaged; older book images and registered land records have separate search routes.
QCan I search Suffolk Registry deed records by address?▾
Yes, use Office: Recorded Land and Search Type: Property Search. Address search is useful for recent searches, but older deeds and mortgages may not contain reliable addresses, so name or book/page search may be better.
QWhat is Boston’s residential exemption deadline?▾
Boston lists April 1, 2027 as the FY2027 residential exemption application deadline. Applications are downloaded from Boston Property Lookup after third-quarter tax bills are issued.
QWhen can I file a Boston real estate tax abatement?▾
You can only submit an abatement application after the third-quarter tax bill and only for the current fiscal year. Boston’s FY2027 page lists February 1, 2027 as the abatement filing deadline.
QWho should I call for current-year Boston tax questions?▾
For current fiscal year tax information, call the Taxpayer Referral and Assistance Center at 617-635-4287. For previous years, call the Collector’s office at 617-635-4131.
QIs Property-Recordss.org the official Boston website?▾
No. Property-Recordss.org is an independent informational guide. Always verify Boston parcel records, tax bills, abatements, exemptions, liens, deeds and payment status directly with official City of Boston or Suffolk Registry sources.
Final Takeaway
For City of Boston property tax records, start with Boston Property Lookup to identify the parcel, value and tax record. Use Tax Collection for payment, invoices and bill issues. Use Suffolk County Registry of Deeds through MassLandRecords for deeds, mortgages, plans and registered land records. Watch quarterly due dates, and remember that abatement/exemption filings are tied to the third-quarter bill period.
Independent guide notice: Property-Recordss.org is not affiliated with the City of Boston, Boston Assessing Department, Boston Tax Collection, Suffolk County Registry of Deeds, MassLandRecords, Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Appellate Tax Board, any court, title company, attorney or surveyor. This page is for educational help only. Always verify parcel data, tax bills, payment status, abatement deadlines, exemption rules, deed records, legal descriptions, liens and ownership status directly with official sources before making legal, financial, tax, title or real estate decisions.