FAQs • Egremont, MA • CivicEngage

1. What is motor vehicle excise tax?: Every motor vehicle and trailer registered in Massachusetts is subject to excise tax unless expressly exempted. Registering a motor vehicle automatically triggers an excise tax. The Registry of Motor Vehicles prepares data for excise bills according to the information on the motor vehicle registration. Towns then prepare and send the bills based on the excise data provided by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. For more information, please see the Secretary's page.

2. What is the excise tax rate?: The rate is $25 per thousand dollars of value. This is the Motor Vehicle Excise tax rate for the entire Commonwealth. The valuation is based on the rates set by the state and are assessed according to the manufacturer's list price. For more information, please see the Secretary's page.

3. When is payment due?: Payment of the motor vehicle excise is due 30 days from the date the excise bill is issued. According to Chapter 60A, Section 2 of the Massachusetts General Laws, "Failure to receive notice shall not affect the validity of the excise". A person who does not receive a bill is still liable for the excise tax. Therefore, it is important to keep the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the Post Office informed of the current name and address so that the excise tax bill can be delivered promptly.

4. I received an excise tax on a car I no longer own - how do I get an adjustment on this bill?: Whether you've sold, traded, or junked a vehicle, you must pay the excise tax bill in full by the due date. You must complete the form on the back of the bill, or an abatement application available on the web and forward with the required paperwork to the Assessors' Office. If you are entitled to an abatement, you will receive a refund check after the abatement application has been submitted by you and the application has been approved by the Board of Assessors. Please contact the Assessors' Office with additional questions.

5. How do I change my address?: In order to change your address you must notify the Registry of Motor Vehicles, or your Insurance Company. This is the taxpayer's responsibility. The Town cannot change your address.

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Tax Collector - Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much are the Real Estate/Personal Property Taxes for Fiscal Year 2022?: The tax rate has been approved at $7.93 per thousand dollars of assessed value for all property.

2. What period does the Fiscal Year 2022 Real Estate / Personal Property Tax bill cover?: The 2022 Fiscal Year begins July 1, 2021 and ends June 30, 2022.

Due dates - Quarterly Tax Billing System - Town of Egremont

4. What are Property (Real Estate) Taxes?: The major source of revenue for the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts is the property tax. The property tax is an "ad valorem" (based on the value) tax. The tax is apportioned to individual properties based on the value of the property. In Massachusetts, estimates of the value are called assessments. The assessments of a large number of parcels for property tax purposes constitute a highly specialized field of appraisal. In Massachusetts, the property tax is assessed on real and personal property to the owner of record as of January 1.

5. What is Preliminary tax?: Preliminary tax bills are estimated bills. The estimate is based on the actual net tax bill of the previous fiscal year. The preliminary tax is due in two installments, August (1st quarter) and November (2nd quarter).

6. What is Actual Tax?: Real estate / Personal Property tax is the actual tax for the Fiscal Year. In December, the Board of Assessors assesses the tax for the year and the amounts paid on the Preliminary bills are subtracted from the tax. The Real Estate/Personal Property tax is due in two installments, February (3rd quarter) and May (4th quarter).

7. I don't think my tax bill is correct, what should I do?: You have 30 days from the date of issue of the first actual tax bill and / or Personal Property tax bill to file for an abatement (usually February 1st) with the Board of Assessors.

8. I mailed my payment from the Post Office at midnight on the due date; why do I have to pay interest?: Payment must be in the Tax Collector's Office by the due date. Postmark is not considered.

9. I did not receive a tax bill; do I have to pay a penalty and interest?: Yes; State Law requires that failing to send or receive a tax bill does not affect the validity of the tax, penalty, or interest.

10. My Real Estate taxes are paid by my mortgage company, why am I getting the tax bill?: By M.G.L. Chapter 60, Section 3 requires all tax bills to be mailed to the owner of the property. This provides the property owner with an opportunity to review the information on the bill, check the assessed value, and the amount of the taxes. If you feel there is a problem with any of these items, you may contact the Board of Assessors and discuss them.

11. How does my mortgage company know how much to pay?: Most banks and mortgage companies use a tax service to gather the information about their accounts or they contact the Town directly for the information. If you have concerns about this, contact the bank or mortgage company directly to find out how they collect the information and if they need additional information from you.

12. I am the new owner of the property, why is the prior owner's name still on the Real Estate bill?: M.G.L. Chapter 59 Section 11 states the name of the owner of record as of January 1 will appear on the tax bill for the next fiscal year (4 bills per fiscal year). Although your name is in the care of line, you are the owner and are responsible for the property.

13. I received a Personal Property tax bill but no longer own the business or closed the business; or I am no longer a second home owner; who should I contact?: The assessment date for the Fiscal Year on Personal Property is the January 1st preceding the start of the Fiscal Year. Each business and second homeowner is assessed based on their status on the assessment date. Thus any business that existed on January 1st or property owner of record as of January 1st would be billed for the entire coming Fiscal Year. This applies to businesses that have closed or relocated during the year so that any business that closed or relocated after January 1st will still be billed for the entire Fiscal Year.