New Owner/Supplemental Tax Bills

NEW OWNER/SUPPLEMENTAL TAX BILLS

NEW HOME OWNER INFORMATION

State law requires that property taxes be listed in the name of the legal owner of record, the owner of record is the individual or entity that owned the property as of January 1 prior to the beginning of the fiscal year.  We are required by law to send the original bill in the name of the owner of record.  This office recognizes that properties are bought and sold every day and we make great effort during the entire tax collection process to forward copies of bills and correspondence to the new owners.

It is incumbent upon all new owners to make sure that they get a current tax bill.  Failure to receive a bill does not in any way diminish the responsibility for payment of that bill.  Failure to timely pay the bill will result in additional interest and fees.

SUPPLEMENTAL REAL ESTATE TAX BILLS

The legislation for “Supplemental Tax Assessment on New Construction” (MGL Ch.59 § 2D) was passed by the State Legislature and became effective on July 31, 2003. This legislation mandates the town to make a pro-rata tax assessment on the value of certain improvements to real estate made after the January 1st assessment date. If there has been an increase in value of more than 50%, a supplemental bill must be issued for the increased taxable value, pro-rated to the end of the Fiscal Year, which is June 30. The increased taxable value is multiplied by the tax rate and by the number of days remaining in the Fiscal Year to generate the supplemental tax. Tax bills may be due in two payments.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT WE TRY TO SEND SUPPLEMENTAL TAX BILLS TO THE

CORRECT PROPERTY OWNERS

IF YOUR REAL ESTATE TAXES ARE NORMALLY PAID BY YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY, USING FUNDS THAT YOU HAVE PAID INTO AN ESCROW ACCOUNT, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE YOUR MORTAGE COMPANY AWARE THAT THESE SUPPLEMENTAL TAXES ARE DUE.

If taxes are not paid timely Supplemental Real Estate Taxes are subject to all collection remedies allowed under Massachusetts State Law, including interest, fees and the placement of a tax lien on the property.