What happens to me if my taxes are not paid in a timely fashion?
Interest accumulates at a rate of 14 % for outstanding Real Estate Taxes. The Collector can initiate a Tax Taking procedure on your property.
Real Estate & Personal Property Tax: Per MA Gen. Law, there is NO grace period.
- Payments are considered made when received by the Tax Collector (not postmarked).
- Interest is accrued beginning at midnight on each due date.
- Interest is charged at the rate of 14% per annum. Application for abatement does not stay collection of the tax. Should there be a delay in the granting of an abatement, it is wiser to pay the bill and receive a refund than to let the bill remain unpaid.
*Under state law, Chapter 60, Section 3, failure to receive a bill does not affect the validity of the tax or any interest or fines incurred due to late payment(s). It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to secure his/her tax bill when one is not received.
The interest on overdue Excise Tax 12 % plus an additional Demand Fee of $ 5 plus a Warrant Fee of $10. If the Excise Tax is a remains overdue the Deputy Tax Collector can attach a “Marking Fee of $ 20” which notifies the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Please note, it is a privilege to hold a drivers license and it can be taken away by the RMV.
