The mission of the Assessing Department is to accurately determine the value of all Real and Personal Property located within the Town of Nahant for the purpose of taxation.

Assessors are statutorily obligated to assess all real property at its full and fair cash values as of January 1st of each year. Full and fair cash value is defined
as 100% of the property's fair market value. It is the price an owner willing but not under compulsion to sell ought to receive from one willing to but not under compulsion to buy. Full and fair cash value is the applied constitutional and statutory standard that protects the property owner's right to pay only his fair share of the tax burden.

The department is also responsible for the administration of all property tax record cards. It maintains accurate parcel ownership data based upon recorded property transactions at the Registry of Deeds, Southern District and all map data pertinent to accurate parcel identification.

The Assessing Department is also responsible for motor vehicle excise and boat excise. Motor vehicle excise data is forwarded to the Assessors office from the Registry of Motor Vehicles 5 -6 times a year, which generates the excise bills. The bills correspond to the information of every registered vehicle in Nahant. Adjustments to the excise tax are performed at the Assessors office when an exemption or abatement is warranted.