# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, sec. 4: Property taxable as personal estate

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C59_S4

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, sec. 4
- **Heading:** Property taxable as personal estate
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title IX / Chapter 59 / Section 4

## Text

Section 4. Except as provided in the following section and in chapters sixty-two and sixty-three, personal estate for the purpose of taxation shall include: First, Goods, chattels, money and effects, wherever they are; ships and vessels and their equipment at home or abroad, except as provided in section eight of this chapter, in chapter sixty B and in section sixty-seven of chapter sixty-three. Second, Money at interest, and other debts due the person to be taxed more than he is indebted or pays interest for; but not including in such debts due him or indebtedness from him any loan on mortgage of real estate, taxable as real estate, except the excess of such loan above the assessed value of the mortgaged real estate. Third, Public stocks and securities, bonds of railroads and street railways and stocks in turnpikes, bridges and moneyed corporations within or without this commonwealth.

Section 4. Except as provided in the following section and in chapters sixty-two and sixty-three, personal estate for the purpose of taxation shall include:

First, Goods, chattels, money and effects, wherever they are; ships and vessels and their equipment at home or abroad, except as provided in section eight of this chapter, in chapter sixty B and in section sixty-seven of chapter sixty-three.

Second, Money at interest, and other debts due the person to be taxed more than he is indebted or pays interest for; but not including in such debts due him or indebtedness from him any loan on mortgage of real estate, taxable as real estate, except the excess of such loan above the assessed value of the mortgaged real estate.

Third, Public stocks and securities, bonds of railroads and street railways and stocks in turnpikes, bridges and moneyed corporations within or without this commonwealth.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, sec. 2 Property subject to taxation; exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C59_S2.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, sec. 2A Real property; mortgages; classifications](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C59_S2A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, sec. 2B Certain types of interest or ownership taxable; liens; public purposes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C59_S2B.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, sec. 2C Real estate sold by governmental or exempt entities; pro rata taxation; computation; collection remedies](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C59_S2C.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, sec. 2D Taxation of improved real estate based on value at issuance of occupancy permit; pro rata](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C59_S2D.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, sec. 3B Real estate acquired by eminent domain; exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C59_S3B.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, sec. 3C Pipe lines](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C59_S3C.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, sec. 3E Real estate owned by the United States and leased to private interests; enforcement by lien or sale; collection remedies](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C59_S3E.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, sec. 3F Child care facilities; classification as property used for human habitation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C59_S3F.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, sec. 4 Property taxable as personal estate](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C59_S4.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, sec. 5 Property; exemptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C59_S5.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, sec. 5B Appeals; eligibility for exemption under Sec. 5, third clause; corporations or trusts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C59_S5B.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, sec. 5C Exemptions for residential real property in cities or towns assessing at full and fair cash valuation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C59_S5C.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 59, sec. 5D Property held by city, town or district in another city or town for water supply, etc.; purposes; tax liability; stumpage fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C59_S5D.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TIX_C59_S4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.