Boston Hit With Suit Over Retaliatory Property Tax Inflation (1)

Boston has engaged in a “deliberate, highly calculated, and comprehensive scheme to artificially increase the assessed value” of commercial real estate of owners that seek property tax abatements, a proposed class action filed Wednesday alleges.

The city has failed to recognize the actual loss of fair market value of at least 60 multi-story office buildings that have become less valuable as the prevalence of remote and hybrid work accelerates, property owner HS 148SST LLC says in a complaint filed in the Massachusetts Superior Court, Suffolk County.

The complaint points to property record cards obtained from the city that show increases ...