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Division of Local Services (DLS)

DLS promotes sound municipal finance management practices and supports local officials by providing guidance, training and oversight.

Upcoming events

  • Ask DLS Law

    Tuesday, September 22, 2026
    10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
    This “Ask DLS Law” service is a virtual, Zoom option for local officials to inquire about municipal finance law issues within the Division's jurisdiction.

  • Ask DLS Law

    Wednesday, September 23, 2026
    10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    This “Ask DLS Law” service is a virtual, Zoom option for local officials to inquire about municipal finance law issues within the Division's jurisdiction.

  • What's New in Municipal Law 2026 - Holyoke, MA

    500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke, MA 01040
    Thursday, September 24, 2026
    9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
    The Division of Local Services Legal Staff will offer its annual seminar "What's New in Municipal Law" for local officials.

  • What's New in Municipal Law 2026 - Virtual

    Monday, September 28, 2026 10 a.m. -
    Thursday, October 1, 2026 12 p.m.
    Monday, September 28, 2026 10 a.m. - Thursday, October 1, 2026 12 p.m.
    The Division of Local Services Legal Staff will offer its annual seminar "What's New in Municipal Law" for local officials.
See all events   for the Division of Local Services

Latest DLS News

FY27 Cherry Sheet estimates

Final

Municipal  Regional school  

Proposition 2 ½ Resources 

Training videos, guidance and information related to property valuation, property taxes and Proposition 2 ½ .

New Officials Training 

Are you a new official? Our Foundations in Municipal Finance training will help you get started.

Fall Update 

Provided by the Municipal Finance Training and Resource Center.

Property Tax Data and Statistics 

Data, statistics and adopted local options related to property taxes.

Tax Status Report 

Want to know how close your community is to setting a property tax rate? Use our Tax Rate Status Report to find out.

Most Requested

Municipal Finance Training and Resource Center 
Bulletins, Guidelines and Opinions (IGR/BUL/LFO) 
Cherry sheet & state payment reports 
Data Analytics & Visualizations 
DLS Publications and Financial Tools 

DLS: Supporting a Commonwealth of Communities

The Division of Local Services is responsible for ensuring fairness and equity in local property taxation, overseeing local accounting and treasury management, interpreting state laws that affect local governance, distributing monthly local aid to cities, towns and school districts, maintaining a comprehensive municipal finance data warehouse, and providing municipal financial management consulting services and training. Our Introduction to DLS video provides an overview of the many services we offer. To learn even more about the Division, please watch our Meet DLS webinar, which includes additional information from each of the Division’s Bureau Chiefs.

YouTube Video Library
Welcome to the Division of Local Services
Municipal Finance Roles & Responsibilities
View more DLS videos

DLS Bureaus and Services

Accounting Guidance and Oversight (BOA)  Property Assessment & Valuation Guidance (BLA)  Financial Management Resource Bureau (FMRB)  Municipal Finance Law Bureau (MFLB)  Bureau of Local Payments (BLP)  Local Option Excise Taxes  DLS Gateway Application Login and Support 

Related organizations

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Image credits:  Worcester, Massachusetts

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