What personal property is subject to local taxation?
All personal property situated in the commonwealth is subject to tax, unless specifically exempt by law. See Massachusetts GL c. 59, §2. Property is situated in a particular city or town in the commonwealth if it is present on January 1 with the owner’s intention that it remain with some degree of permanence. Property that is frequently moved from place to place or intended for use temporarily at different places is considered situated where the owner is an inhabitant or has a principal place of business (if the property is business personal property). A primary example of exempt property involves household furnishings and effects. Such household personal property at a persons domicile (primary residence) is expressly exempt from personal property tax. GL c. 59, §5, cl. 20. This exemption does not apply to such property located at a second home.
