More Frequently Asked Questions About Tax Bills

When are tax payments due?
What are the penalties for late payments?
What are Special Assessments?
How and where should I send my tax payment?
My taxes are held in escrow. What should I do with my tax bill?
How can I obtain a receipt for my tax payment?
How can I change the mailing address on my tax bill?
I just received a tax bill for my property addressed to the previous owner. Why is their name on the bill?

When are tax payments due?
Exact dates changed from year to year. Preliminary tax payments are due on August and November. The third quarter tax payment is usually due in the Tax Collector's office in February. The fourth quarter tax payment is usually due in May. (back to top)

What are the penalties for late payments?
Payments received after the due date are subject to interest at 14% per year which accrues daily from the due date until payment is received. Timely payment of all quarterly bills is generally a prerequisite to preserving a property owner's right to appeal an abatement decision of the Board of Assessors. Postmarks do not verify timely payment so please mail your payment early to ensure on-time delivery by the Postal Service. Pay your bill online. (back to top)

What are Special Assessments?
A special assessment is specific to the property and therefore does not appear on every tax bill. A betterment improvement (e.g., sewer lateral) is a type of special assessment. When a betterment assessment is issued, the property owner has the option of either paying the betterment in full without interest within thirty days of the original billing or paying the betterment in installments with interest over a period of years not to exceed twenty. Utility liens are also identified as special assessments. Generally sewer and/or water charges that are billed on or prior to June 30, 2003 for your property and are still outstanding and overdue as of the date the FY 2004 Tax Commitment was created, would be added to your tax bill plus any interest and penalties that had accrued. A corresponding credit is made to your utility account. (back to top)

How and where should I send my tax payment?
Please mail your payment in the enclosed pre-addressed envelope. Enclose the tax PAYMENT COUPON with your check made payable to TOWN OF WALPOLE. Sign and date your check. Do not date the check ahead. Checks will not be held by the Collector for later deposit. A postdated check processed and not honored by the bank will result in additional charges imposed by the bank and the Town. PLEASE do not enclose any other payment or any correspondence in the property tax payment envelope. Any correspondence that you may want to send to the Town should be mailed separately and addressed to the department you wish to contact. This includes correspondence to the Board of Assessors and the Tax Collector. (back to top)

My taxes are held in escrow. What should I do with my tax bill?
Send the tax payment coupon to your bank immediately. You may request the bank to make payment before the due date. (back to top)

How can I obtain a receipt for my tax payment?
Enclose the entire tax bill and a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your payment. (back to top)

How can I change the mailing address on my tax bill?
If you have a change of mailing address, do not write it on your bill. Please note your property address, the parcel number, and the old and new mailing addresses on a separate piece of paper and send it directly to: Board of Assessors Office, Attn: Address Changes, 135 School Street, Walpole, MA 02081. Sorry, the Board of Assessors cannot change your mailing address with just a telephone call. (back to top)

I just received a tax bill for my property addressed to the previous owner. Why is their name on the bill?
State law requires that the tax bill must be mailed to the owner of record as of January 1, 2011. If you purchased your property after January 1, 2011, please be aware that the tax bill may be forwarded to the previous owner by the United States Postal Service. You should call the tax collector’s office to have a copy of the bill mailed to you so that you can pay the bill by the due date. (back to top)