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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, December 30, 2025
    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, December 31, 2025
    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.
See all events   for the Division of Local Services

Latest DLS News

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.

New Officials Training 

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

Winter Update 

Provided by the Municipal Finance Training and Resource Center

Municipal Empowerment Act

The Municipal Empowerment Act is designed to arm local governments with greater tools and supports to chart their own course, making it easier for communities to generate resources for vital local services and access the products and people they need to best serve Massachusetts residents.

Learn more about the Municipal Empowerment Act 

FY26 Cherry Sheet Estimates

Final

Municipal  Regional school  

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 

Proposition 2 ½ Resources

Proposition 2 ½ Resources

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.

View our BureausView the DLS staff directoryPublic Hearing Notices

View the DLS Events CalendarLog into DLS Gateway or view public reports

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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