Real Estate Billing Steps

Step 1 Quarterly Tax Billing

Real Estate tax is billed quarterly in two mailings. The First (1st) and Second (2nd) quarters are mailed out by June 30th. The third and fourth is mailed out by December 31st. Their due dates are the following:

• First Quarter: August 1st
• Second Quarter: November 1st
• Third Quarter: February 1st
• Fourth Quarter: May 1st

Note: If payment due date falls on a weekend, the due date will move to the first Monday after the due date.

Step 2 Demand Bill

Demand bills are issued after the 4th quarter due date of May 1st on all outstanding accounts. Sending a demand is a prerequisite to pursuing certain collection remedies including tax takings. The tax payer has at least fourteen days to pay the Demand Bill.

The demand charge is currently $10, the interest rate is 14% on the unpaid amount calculated from the due date of each quarter.

Step 3 Tax Taxing

A municipality has the right to take title to the taxpayer's property and to under-take foreclosure proceedings when a taxpayer is delinquent in paying their local real estate or other local charges which constitute liens on the real estate (including but not imited to disposal liens and committed interest).

Once a year notices will go out to owners of outstanding accounts stating their property will be advertised for tax taking in the local newspaper. Approximately 14 days before the tax taking, the Collector will publish in the local newspaper a listing of accounts with dates, time and place of taking.

The Tax Collector, on the date of taking, will prepare an Instrument of Taking and record the document in the Bristol County Registry of Deeds. Fees, including interest to date of taking, advertising costs, preparation fees, demand, warrant and recording fees will be added to the tax title account and must be paid by the owner before the lien is released. The interest charged on the tax title account is then calculated at 16% from the date of taking to payment date.

The final payment of the tax title account will include redemption fees. The Town will then file an Instrument of Redemption at Bristal County Registry of Deeds. The Town may proceed with Foreclosure if no effort is made to pay tax title accounts. Initial land court filing fee as well as additional fees and charges will be added to the outstanding account, i.e. legal fees.