Real Estate & Personal Property Taxes

Bills

Real estate and personal property tax bills are collected quarterly. The fiscal year ends on June 30th, the 1st quarter bill covers the period between July 1st and September 30th.

Payments must be received in the Treasurer/Collector's office by the due date to be considered timely. Post marks do not qualify as timely payments so please be sure to include adequate mailing 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 30August 1st or 30 days after the bill is mailed.
Second QuarterOctober 1 - December 31November 1st or 30 days after the bill is mailed.
Third QuarterJanuary 1 - March 31February 1st or 30 days after the bill is mailed.
Fourth QuarterApril 1st - June 30May 1st or 30 days after the bill is 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 Assessors' Office to have the bill directed to you. You are 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

By law, real estate tax bills 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.