Suffolk County, MA — Property Tax Underwriting Guide
Massachusetts · Annual market review
What this means for multifamily underwriting
Suffolk County (Boston, Chelsea, Revere) is a major multifamily market. Massachusetts has a classified tax system: the commercial rate in Boston is roughly 2.5x the residential rate. Multifamily with 4+ units is generally taxed at the commercial rate.
Transaction type breakdown
Massachusetts requires annual assessment at full and fair cash value. Sale prices are the primary and most persuasive evidence of market value; Boston-area assessors routinely update assessments toward recent sale prices within 1-2 assessment cycles.
Refinance does not affect assessed value.
Ownership transfer is market evidence; assessors commonly reassess toward the sale price at the next annual review.
Tax appeal information
25.0 mill (2.5% effective) reflects the approximate Boston commercial rate. Confirm the classification and rate at boston.gov/assessing.
Guide review
County guidance last reviewed: June 15, 2026
Tax-rate scope: Tax-rate scope is not established as parcel-specific; confirm the parcel's taxing-authority stack.
Official sources: Boston Assessing Dept
Annual-market model and commercial classification are directionally accurate; verify current year commercial tax rate before underwriting.
Parclio estimates are underwriting guidance, not legal or tax advice. Always verify millage rates, the seller's assessed value, and appeal deadlines with the county assessor or local counsel before relying on these numbers for a credit decision.
Run a tax reset estimate for Suffolk County
Use Parclio's estimator to model the post-closing tax bill, NOI impact, DSCR change, and underwriting memo language for your next Suffolk County deal.