Farmer Battles Massachusetts Town for 8 Years:Wins $31,000 Tax Refund After $300,000 Dispute

It took eight years, but a farmer from Massachusetts finally emerged victorious in his lengthy battle to demonstrate that he wasn't liable for paying his town $300,000 in taxes. Ultimately, once everything was settled, it turned out that the town actually owed Bill Griggs $31,000.

Back in 2022, the town of Billerica claimed Griggs owed roughly $300,000 in back taxes. That's because Griggs stopped paying his taxes altogether in 2017. He claimed they had been overtaxing his land incorrectly since 1997.

Griggs stated back then, "I'd like to understand exactly what I am being taxed for."

The Billerica farm was taxed excessively.

The township evaluated his land at $1.2 million, a figure he maintains was excessive. His property, a farm, falls under this assessment. Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program in Massachusetts. It can only be used for agriculture. Griggs says it would take a three-fourths approval vote in the Massachusetts House and Senate for his land to be used for anything other than that.

"That's what allows it to be the lower rate because it is preserved open land," explained Griggs. "It became just unsustainable when you tax so heavy. You run out of money."

"This part of the land and the parking lot was actually being taxed at commercial rates, which was completely incorrect," said Dina Favreau, a member of Billerica's Select Board.

In 2022, Favreau started investigating Griggs' case prior to her appointment to the board.

"On Monday evening, we decided to approve the revised evaluations and assessments, and to undertake the required actions to ensure Mr. Griggs is fully compensated," stated Favreau.

Griggs Farm tax refund

Griggs paid so excessively that it far surpassed the amount owed for the eight years of unpaid taxes.

"Mr. Griggs is supposed to receive a $30,951 refund," stated Favreau.

I expect we'll likely buy some supplies and settle our bills," stated Griggs. "Fingers crossed, we should manage to improve operations in some of these areas now.