Annual tax rate battle looms in Worcester

Full and original article posted on Worcester Magazine

One of the most significant and most contentious actions the City Council takes every year is just around the corner, and while the city does not yet even have the information it needs to provide for debate, the battle lines are being drawn.

As councilors await certified valuations, information necessary to set residential and commercial property tax rates for the city, groups on both sides of the issue have started their tax rate campaigns.

The city has a split tax rate, meaning businesses and residential properties pay separate rates for property taxes. Like in most cities that adopt a split rate, businesses pay a higher rate than residential property owners. In Worcester, the difference is $18.91 per $1,000 valuation for residential and $34.03 for commercial.

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