1. How can I change the name on my tax bill? |
2. Why did my tax bill come in care of the previous owner? |
3. Why is my name not shown on the real estate tax bill? |
4. Will you send a copy of my tax bill to my mortgage company? |
5. Where can I get a “plot plan?” |
6. I think my neighbor’s fence is on my property. What should I do? |
7. My mother just turned 65 years old. Is she entitled to a tax break? |
8. I just traded in my old car for a new one. Am I entitled to a refund of my excise tax? |
9. I think my car is overvalued. What can I do? |
10. I took my car off the road. Am I entitled to an abatement? |
1. The names on a tax bill are based on recorded deeds to the property. If you wish to change the name on your tax bill, you must first change the name on your deed. Once the deed is recorded, the Registry will send a copy to the Board of Assessors and they will make the appropriate changes. We suggest contacting your attorney to accomplish this task.
2. Tax law requires that the record owner of a property as of January 1 must be assessed the tax. If you acquired the property after January 1, your tax bill will be assessed as follows for the remainder of that fiscal year:
Old Owner (January 1)
C/O New Owner
Once the fiscal year is over, we will automatically delete the “care of” from the tax bill.
3. The Registry of Deeds forwards all recorded copies of deeds to the Assessors for processing. The Registry typically forwards copies of deeds by the 15th day of the following month. The Assessors did not receive your deed in time to make the appropriate changes to the assessment file. Be assured, however, that the tax liability is yours in spite of the manner in which the tax bill was addressed.
4. No. By law we must send the tax bill to the record owner. It is the taxpayer’s responsibility to ensure that their mortgage company receive a copy of the bill.
5. Plot plans can be obtained through the Inspectors Office. The Assessors have maps which show the layout of the parcel and will be happy to provide a complimentary copy to the taxpayer.
6. We urge all taxpayer’s experiencing a boundary dispute to hire a civil engineer to survey the property. Assessors maps cannot be used to settle boundary disputes.
7. There are a variety of personal exemptions available to senior citizens, but generally the age requirement is 65, unless the individual is a surviving spouse. Contact the Assessors Office for more information.
8. You will qualify for an abatement for some or all of your excise as long as long as both of the following conditions are met: First, the car must be sold, traded, donated or junked. Second, the plates must be either transferred or cancelled. You may obtain an abatement application by contacting the Assessors or you can download the application off the web.
9. The assessed value of a car is based on the manufacturer’s list price new. Values depreciate for years one through five and remain constant for all succeeding years.
10. No. If you still own the car even if it is not registered you do not qualify for an abatement.
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