Real Estate & Personal Property Taxes

Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills

Real estate and personal property taxes are billed and collected on a quarterly basis each fiscal year which runs from July 1st to June 30th.  Real estate taxes are due August 1st, November 1st, February 1st and May 1st.  Personal property taxes are due February 1st and May 1st.

Payments must be received in the Collector’s Office by the due date in order to be considered on time.  Postmarks are never accepted as the date of payment.

Payments must be received on or before the due date to avoid interest charges.  If payment is not made by the due date, interest will begin to accrue at the rate of 14% per annum.  A demand for payment will be mailed and a fee of $15.00 added to any account which is not paid in full by May 1st.
 
The town annually places liens on delinquent real estate accounts and records the liens at the Registry of Deeds.  This is the first step in the foreclosure process.

New Owners

Massachusetts General Laws require that the name on tax bills be the owner of record on January 1st preceding the beginning of the tax year.  If you purchase a property after the first of the year, please contact the Assessors’ Office to have the bill directed to you. You are still responsible for taxes on property you own regardless of the name on the bill.  Failure to receive a bill does not affect the validity of the tax, interest or penalty charges.

Mortgage Companies

If a mortgage company escrows your taxes, it is your responsibility to insure that they make timely payments.  Please contact your mortgage company to determine whether or not you need to forward your bill to them, especially if you have recently purchased or refinanced property.