Personal Property Tax Information

Personal Property Tax Information
 

Massachusetts general law requires that the property tax bill must be sent to the owner of record as of the January 1 date immediately preceding that start of the fiscal year. This means that if you had purchased property or a business in Aquinnah after January 1 the tax bills for July 1, to June 30 would be in the name of the previous owner and in all likelihood, the bills would be forwarded to the previous owner by the post office.
 
The personal property bills will accompany your 3rd and 4th quarter bills (due Feb 1st and May 1st).  Timely payment requires that the bill be received by the Collector before the close of business on the due date.  Postmarks are not acceptable.  If a statutory tax date falls on a holiday or weekend, the tax will be due on the next business day.
 
Sign and date your check. Unsigned checks will be returned. DO NOT DATE THE CHECK AHEAD. Checks will not be held by the Collector for later deposit. A post-dated check that is processed and not honored by the bank will result in penalties and fees and charges imposed by both the bank and the Town.  If using electronic bill payment through a bank, please include the bill year, type and number to ensure accurate processing.
 
To request a receipt, you must include both copies of your bill and a stamped self-addressed envelope with your payment. If you do not receive a bill, you should retrieve a copy of your tax bill at Town Hall or call the office to request the amount due to avoid late payment penalties. Massachusetts law states that your failure to receive a tax bill does not invalidate the tax nor the proceedings for collection.
 
Interest at an annual rate of 14% per annum is assessed on all payments received after the due dates.  Any balance still remaining after May 1st will result in the issuance of a demand bill and an additional $5.00 fee.  Bills that remain unpaid will be forwarded to the Deputy Collector for an additional fee of $10.00.  The Deputy may charge up to an additional $29.00 in fees though its collection cycle.