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1. Why did my real estate bill get mailed to me?

Mass General Law requires the City mail real estate bills to the owner of record as of January 1 of the fiscal year commencing July 1. It is the owners responsibility to ensure their bank/mortgage escrow company receives the information. Owners subsequent to January 1 are responsible for taxes due even if they do not receive an invoice. If you have purchased property after January 1, contact the Assessors Office at 508-821-1011 to add your mailing information to the bill.

2. Why doesn't my bill show my abatement or exemption?

The Assessor's apply all abatements or exemptions after the actual real estate tax bills have been finalized, so the amount will not reflect your reduction. The total exemption is split between the February and May bill, you can not use the entire exemption on the February bill. If you have questions regarding what is due after receiving an abatement or exemption, please contact us at 508-821-1054.

3. When is the motor vehicle excise taxes due?

All of the information regarding the motor vehicle excise bills comes directly from the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The RMV sends out between 10 to 15 mailings/commitments a year; the first and largest mailing usually goes out the first week of March. If you need to correct any information on your bill, you must contact the RMV. If you are receiving a bill on a vehicle you no longer own, please contact the Assessor's Office to inquire about an abatement.

4. What happens if I cannot pay my real estate taxes?

If a balance remains on your real estate taxes after the May 1st due date, a demand bill is mailed, which includes a $25 fee along with interest. If the demand bill is still not paid, the Collector's Office will send out a letter indicating when it will be advertised in the newspaper and eventually a lien will be placed on the property, called a Tax Taking. The lien is recorded at the Registry of Deeds incurring additional fees; at this point all inquiries should be made with the Treasurer's Office 508-821-1057.

5. What happens if I cannot pay my excise taxes?

If a balance remains on your excise taxes after the due date, a demand bill is mailed, which includes a $25 fee along with interest. If a balance remains on your excise bill past the demand due date then the balance is turned over to our Deputy Collector. After this occurs all payments and inquires should be made to the Deputy Collector, Kelley and Ryan Associates.  They can be reached at 800-491-9788. 

You can make payments online or find their closest location at the Kelley and Ryan website.

6. Who do I contact if I feel there is a problem or I have a question with my bill?

• If you have a question about a payment or an amount currently due, contact the Collector's Office at 508-821-1054
• If you have questions about a tax taking, contact the Treasurer's Office at 508-821-1057
• If you have a question about the real estate tax assessed value, contact the Assessor's Office at 508-821-1011
• If you have a question about your water / sewer bill, contact the Water Department at 508-821-1045
• If you have a question about your motor vehicle excise valuation, contact the Registry of Motor Vehicles

7. Can I pay my bill online?

Real estate tax bills, personal property bills, motor vehicle excise bills, boat excise bills, water/sewer bills, and tax title accounts can be paid online. You will need your current bill number, if you have misplaced the bill, please contact us at 508-821-1054 and we will be happy to look up the bill number for you.

Please see our Step by Step guide to making online payments or call City Hall Systems at 508-381-5455 for further assistance.

8. Can I pay my bill by phone?

Real estate tax bills, personal property bills, motor vehicle excise bills, boat excise bills and water/sewer bills can be paid by phone with City Hall Systems. They can be reached Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM at 508-381-5455. 

You will need your current bill number. If you have misplaced the bill, please contact us at 508-821-1054 and we will be happy to look up the bill number for you.

9. Why does my bill have the former owners name on it?

The law states that the assessed owner of record as of January 1 of that fiscal year must appear on the bill. If you are a new owner, you can request to have your name added to the bill by contacting the Assessor's Office at 508-821-1011.

10. What happens if my tax or utility payment is returned?

If a tax or utility payment is returned for any reason, your payment is automatically reversed and a fee of $25.00, or 1% of the payment if it is $2,500.00 or over, is assessed. Any applicable interest or fees will be added as well. 

11. When does interest start to accrue on my bill?

Interest starts accruing the day after the due date.

12. How often do I pay real estate taxes?

The Real Estate Tax Bills are due quarterly. The bills are mailed out twice a year, July (estimated) and January (actual), and include 2 billing periods in each mailing. The City runs on a fiscal year July 1 to June 30.

• 1st quarter due August 1
• 2nd quarter due November 1
• 3rd quarter due February 1
• 4th quarter due May 1

13. How much is a Municipal Lien Certificate?

How much is a Municipal Lien Certificate?

• $50 single to 3 units
• $100 4 to 8 units
• $150 commercial

You must include a self addressed stamped envelope to return the completed Municipal Lien Certificate Requests Form (PDF).

14. What is a Tax Taking?

A Tax Taking is a real estate tax lien recorded on your property due to the failure to pay taxes. It is also called Tax Title.