Court Allows Boston Commercial Taxpayer Lawsuit to Move Forward

Pioneer New England Legal Foundation and Sullivan & Worcester are pleased with today’s decision, which allows this case to move forward and get to the truth. This case is about restoring fairness and accountability to the City of Boston’s tax system. The complaint alleges that the City of Boston systematically penalized commercial property owners for exercising their right to appeal their tax assessments, including by overriding valuations and adding back value after an appeal was filed.

At this stage, the court has recognized that these claims deserve to be heard on the merits. We look forward to proving that the City of Boston violated its commercial taxpayers’ fundamental constitutional protections, including the right to petition the government, which the Court described as “one of the most precious of the liberties safeguarded by the Bill of Rights”. The Court also expressed concern that any violation of the right to petition “chills all commercial property owners from exercising their right to seek an abatement.”

Hon. Frank J. Bailey

President

Pioneer New England Legal Foundation