At its April 3 meeting, the Town of Needham Board of Assessors offered a simple approach for homeowners to estimate their first-quarter fiscal-year 2025 property-tax bill and explained how abatements are reflected on bills.

John Bolling, chair of the Board of Assessors, opened the meeting and oversaw a short exchange about estimating payments. Board members suggested taking the total property tax for fiscal 2025, increasing it by about 2.5 percent (some members suggested using 3 percent), and dividing that result by four to approximate a single quarterly bill. "Increase it by 2 and a half percent ... and then divide it by 4. That'll tell you what approximately your first quarter bill will be," said Mike, a member of the board (first name only in the transcript).

The board cautioned that the method is only an approximation. Bolling said he would present the figure as "approximate," noting variability in final bills. The assessors also advised taxpayers who have received a bill that does not reflect an approved abatement to take the abatement paperwork to the Treasurer/Collector's office; the Treasurer/Collector will issue a revised total when necessary.

Board members also reminded the public that the extended deadline for late bills is April 9 at 5 p.m. The board did not take formal action on these items during open session; the guidance was delivered verbally during routine business.

The discussion took place during the meeting's open session and public-comment period produced no speakers. The board did not provide a printed example or a staff-calculated estimate during the recorded portion of the meeting.