The Treasurer/Collector’s Office bills and collects real estate taxes, motor vehicle excise taxes, water and sewer charges, and transfer station fees. Parking ticket fees are also collected at this office. The Treasurer is responsible for tax titles, calculation of and receipt of payments, discharge of tax titles, and legal processes relative to foreclosure sales.
The office also manages the Town’s finances, investments, borrowing, and bank reconciliations, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws. Our goal is to provide excellent service while maintaining the Town’s financial stability.
How to Pay Bills
Payments may be made in person during public hours, by mail, or through the secure drop box located in front of the building (checked daily). Online payment options are available through the PAY BILLS link.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often are property tax bills mailed?
Two (2) times per year, generally in the fall (October) and the spring (April).
If I pay my property tax bill late, will I be charged interest?
Yes, you will be charged 14% interest the day after the due date.
For mailed in payments what date do you go by?
The day it is received in the Collectors office, not the postmark date.
If I sell or trade-in my car after I paid my excise tax, can I receive a refund?
Yes, in most cases. You may apply for an abatement at the Assessor’s Office. If a refund is due you will receive it in the following month of abatement. Refunds are done once a month.
What forms of payments are accepted in the Collector’s Office?
Cash, checks or money orders are accepted in person, but credit cards are not accepted. You can also pay online with a credit card or check, with fees at the owner’s expense.
What is a Motor Vehicle Excise Tax?
According to the Department of Revenue, the motor vehicle excise is imposed for the privilege of registering a motor vehicle. Motor Vehicle Excise tax is one of the few sources of revenue that remains at the local level; it is not sent to the state for redistribution. The Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) determines vehicle values and ownership. The RMV generates electronic bill files that are sent to communities. Upon receiving the bill file the town converts it to paper invoices and mails them out. The vehicle owner is then responsible for remitting payment within 30 days of the bill date.
The amount of the excise due on a vehicle or trailer in a given registration year is calculated by multiplying the “value” of the vehicle by the motor vehicle excise tax rate of $25.00 per $1,000 in value. (The $25.00 rate is the same in all 352 towns and cities in Massachusetts. It does not change like the property tax rate). The value of a vehicle for the purpose of determining excise is a percentage of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for that vehicle based on the year of manufacture. That value is reduced annually and over a five-year depreciation schedule.
If a vehicle is disposed of either by a private sale, trade or gifting, or you register your vehicle in another state, an abatement on a portion of the excise tax may be due. A copy of the bill of sale or trade-in transaction documents together with a registration cancellation receipt from the RMV will be required as supporting documentation. Without evidence of the vehicle being disposed of, an abatement cannot be approved. For those who lease vehicles, abatements are applied for and granted to the leasing company. They, in turn, should refund the lessee once they receive a refund.
Email the Collector/Treasurer Department
Using this form will send a message to the designated department contact.
