Tax rolls & real estate

by Hilary W. Foutes REALTOR® 05/11/2025

A tax roll, sometimes called an assessment roll, is a record of all the properties subject to taxes in a given area. These lists include detailed information about properties and associated taxes, including land and vehicles in some states. To better understand the relationship between tax rolls and real estate, here's the basic info to know:

What information is included in a tax roll?

A real estate property tax roll is a record of all properties subject to taxes in a particular jurisdiction. The rolls can be broken down by city, county, state and national levels for tracking and data-management purposes. Each property on a tax roll has important details, including:

  • owner
  • location
  • property classification
  • value
  • valuation date
  • appraiser
  • taxable status
  • tax owed

Why property tax rolls matter

Property tax rolls are important in real estate for a few reasons. One reason is they provide reliable documentation about a specific property's assessed value and how it might have changed over time. They can also show records of prior tax issues like liens or delinquency potential homeowners might want to be aware of.

Tax rolls can also help both borrowers and lenders confirm the assessed value of a property for determining loan approval and interest rates. Having a standardized source of official facts about specific properties can help in all steps of important financial decisions.

About the Author
Author

Hilary W. Foutes REALTOR®

As a forty three-year resident of Swampscott and having been in Real Estate for 21+ years on the North Shore of Boston, I have had top award-winning sales performances year after year in our local community. Achieving top sales results with extensive knowledge of Swampscott, Marblehead and the surrounding north shore towns have made me an expert in my field and demographic area. I am considered one of the best negotiators around, have tremendous relationships with inspectors, lawyers, appraisers, contractors, and even my fellow colleagues in this business. I pride myself on my attention to detail, expert transaction coordination, fiduciary obligations, knowledge of the real estate legalities, and ability to handle the most important purchase or sale of your financial portfolio…YOUR home!