Taxpayer Referral and Assistance Center
We offer a "one-stop" service for Boston taxpayers on tax-related matters. The Assessing Department's Taxpayer Referral and Assistance Center is also known as "TRAC."
Please note: For prior fiscal year real estate tax payments, contact the Collector's Office.
What the center offers
We can help explain tax bills, abatements, and exemption programs. Whether you need to change your mailing address or apply for a residential exemption, we have answers. We also have information on boat and motor vehicle excise taxes, as well as boat mooring permits.
We can accept exemption and abatement applications. We can also:
- issue duplicate tax bills and payment history, and
- provide ward and parcel information for your property.
We can refer you to Assessing and Collections experts to help with:
- CURRENT fiscal year tax bill payments, and
- personal property and real estate abatement processing.
Tax information
Tax informationThrough an exemption, the City releases you from paying part or all of your property taxes.
If you register your car in Boston or own a boat in the City, you need to pay an annual excise payment.
Property taxes are a major source of revenue for cities and towns in Massachusetts.
The Assessing Department determines the market value of every parcel of property in Boston as of January 1 of each year.