Assessment

Mission Statement

The mission of the Reading Assessing Department is to provide fiscal stability by promptly, fairly and equitable determining the valuation of all real and personal property located in the Town of Reading. The assessing department is obligated under law to assess all property at its full and fair market value as of January 1 of each year for the purpose of taxation. This is accomplished through the maintenance and administration of all property tax data records. In addition, the department also administers motor vehicle excise taxes, real, personal and motor vehicle excise tax abatements, betterments, water liens, and all statutory tax exemptions as allowed by law.

Tax Rates

  • Fiscal Year 2023 Residential Tax Rate is $12.59 per thousand.
  • Fiscal Year 2023 Commercial, Industrial, and Personal Property Tax Rate are $13.21 per thousand.

Massachusetts Department of Revenue

Division of Local Services: Bureau of Local Assessment

The Bureau of Local Assessment is responsible for regulation, oversight, training and technical assistance to cities and towns in the areas of real and personal property valuation and classification. Consequently, one of the main duties of the Bureau is to review and recertify each municipality's property values once every three years to ensure they are at full and fair market value.

Division of Local Services: Bureau of Accounts

The Bureau of Accounts oversees the financial management of Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns. The BOA field staff assist financial officers with State regulations and requirements, approve tax rates, certify compliance with Proposition 2 1/2, and offer instruction in sound municipal accounting practices.

Division of Local Services: Municipal Data Bank

The Municipal Data Bank collects, analyzes and distributes financial, demographic and economic data on Massachusetts cities and towns.

Middlesex Registry of Deeds

All property transfers in the Town of Reading are recorded at the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds in Cambridge. The link provided below directs you to the registry of deeds website. After you select a county, deeds, plans, mortgages, etc. can be viewed and printed. Document retrieval can be done on searches of address, book and page, Grantor, Grantee, etc.

208 Cambridge Street
P.O. Box 68
Cambridge, MA 02141
Phone: 617-679-6310