Laws vary from state to state, but property tax is often a locally assessed and locally administered tax (by counties)—and in those states there is no state property tax. Property tax brings in the most money of all taxes available to local government to pay for schools, roads, police and firemen, emergency response services, libraries, parks, and other services provided by local government.

Most states offer a variety of partial or total (absolute) exemptions from appraised property values used to determine local property taxes. A partial exemption removes a percentage or a fixed dollar amount of a property's value from taxation. A total (absolute) exemption excludes the entire property from taxation. Taxing units (government entities) may be required by the state to offer certain (mandatory) exemptions and have the option to decide locally on whether or not to offer others (local option).

Exemptions from property tax usually require the taxpayer to apply for the exemption. Applications for property tax exemptions are filed with appraisal districts, and deadlines may vary. Appraisal district chief appraisers are responsible for determining whether a property qualifies for an exemption.
Exemptions are usually located in a state’s tax code (statutes) and exemption requirements are often extensive. Property owners should read these statutes carefully.

Common exemptions are for properties that qualify as a residence homestead or are eligible for charitable, religious, or agricultural exemptions, as provided by the state’s tax laws. Disabled persons, senior citizens (age 65 or older), veterans, and surviving spouses of veterans who were killed in action (KIA) are also eligible for exemptions in some states.

In Massachusetts, property tax is primarily a local tax, administered by the cities and towns. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts itself does not levy a state property tax. Local governments rely on property tax revenue to fund public services such as education, transportation, public safety, and recreational facilities. Massachusetts law provides for various exemptions from property tax, which can be partial or total. These exemptions are designed to reduce the tax burden on certain property owners, such as those with a residence homestead, or those who use their property for charitable, religious, or agricultural purposes. Additionally, Massachusetts offers property tax relief for certain individuals, including seniors (age 65 and older), veterans, surviving spouses of veterans, and individuals with disabilities. To benefit from these exemptions, property owners must apply through their local assessor's office, and the application deadlines can vary by municipality. The requirements for these exemptions are detailed in the Massachusetts General Laws, and property owners should review these statutes or consult with an attorney to understand the specific qualifications and procedures for applying for tax exemptions.