Listers and Assessors | Department of Taxes

2022 Lister Inspections: The Division of Property Valuation and Review (PVR) would like to remind property owners and Listers or Assessors to consider the alternatives to interior inspections below. It is important that towns use alternate measures as needed to ensure that all properties are assessed equitably.

Send out inventory sheet (mailer) for correction
- Sample Mailer form (Burlington)
Log onto the contractor’s website to make corrections to data
- Online Property Assessment Data Verification
Video tour of property
- Real time tour with smart phone (not recorded or saved)
- If saved or recorded the videos become public record
- Monitor and microphone (baby monitor)
Send pictures of current pictures of interior inspection
- The pictures become public records once received by town office
Telephone interview with homeowner
Interview with homeowner at door

A lister is an official elected by the citizens of a municipality in which the lister resides, while an assessor is hired or appointed by a municipality. Both listers and assessors are compensated by the municipality. Some assessors work full-time for a given municipality, while others may work part-time at one or several different municipalities.

Roles and Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the lister is to determine the fair market value of your property; all real property commonly known as real estate is assessed. Real property is defined as land and any permanent structures attached to it. This value is converted into an assessment, which is one component in the computation of real property tax bills. In order to accomplish this goal, listers must understand appraisal methods and property assessment administration in Vermont. For a brief overview of the work a lister does, please review What a Lister Does: Overview of Responsibilities to learn more.

Accessing myVTax

Listers and Assessors Offices must use their myVTax account. Through this online portal, you can review Property Transfer Tax Returns, enter Current Use Withdrawal Valuations (for Land Use Change Tax), and verify sales for the Equalization Study. View this guide for step-by-step instructions for logging into your account and entering Land Use Change Tax valuations.

Please note: As of the 2017 Legislative session, you are no longer required to provide the Department of Taxes with a hard copy of your Town Report, nor a new lister appointment. This information can be transmitted to us by sending us an email.

How We Help

The Division of Property Valuation and Review works extensively with local governments in the performance of its duties. Division staff offer technical support tools, detailed instructions, and direct support through the District Advisors for listers, assessors, and property owners. Please visit our Lister and Assessor resource page for a list of additional information, regulations, and programs that we encourage listers and assessors to become familiar with. For additional information you can also check out our lister and assessor FAQs.

Lister and Assessor Educational Opportunities

Another important component of our support effort is the education program that is made available to the State’s listers and assessors. Find out what courses we offer to listers, assessors, other county officials, and the general public.