Bills
Real estate and personal property tax bills are collected quarterly. Our fiscal year ends on June 30th, so the first quarter bill covers the period between July 1st and September 30th. (Fiscal year 2013 begins on July 1, 2012 and ends on June 30, 2013.)
Payments must be received in the tax office by the due date to be considered timely. Post marks do not qualify as timely payments so please be sure that we receive your payment in time. There are no grace periods.
If your payment is paid after the due date for any quarter, interest will accrue at 14% of the remainder of the amount due for that quarter.
| Quarterly Tax Due Dates | ||
| First Quarter | July 1 – September 30 | August 1st or 30 days after the bill is mailed. |
| Second Quarter | October 1 – December 31 | November 1st |
| Third Quarter | January 1 – March 31 | February 1st or 30 days after the bill is mailed. |
| Fourth Quarter | April 1st – June 30 | May 1st or 30 days after the billis mailed. |
Any unpaid balances after May 1st may result in tax liens on the property. Tax liens are subject to interest at 16%.
New Owners
Massachusetts General Law requires that the name on tax bills be the owner of record on January 1st. If you purchase a property after the first of the year, please contact the Assessor’s Office to have the bill directed to you. You are still responsible for real estate taxes for property that 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.
Mortgage Companies
Tax Bills, by law, are sent to the property owner as of January 1st. If your mortgage company escrows your taxes, you may have to supply them with the tax payment information.