What are Real Estate Billing Steps?

Step 1 – Semi-Annual Tax Billing

Real Estate tax is billed semi-annually in two mailings. The First Half is mailed by October 1st. The Second Half is mailed by April 1st. Their due dates are the following:

  • First Half due November 1st
  • Second Half due 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 2nd Half payment due date of May 1st on all outstanding accounts. Sending a demand is a prerequisite to pursuing certain collection remedies including tax takings. The taxpayer has fourteen (14) days to pay the Demand Bill.

The demand charge is currently $10.00, the interest rate is 14% on the unpaid amount calculated from the due date of each quarter.

 

Step 3 - Tax Title

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 limited 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 title in the local newspaper. Approximately 14 days before tax title, the Collector will publish in the local newspaper a listing of accounts with dates, time, and place of tax title.

The Tax Collector, on the date of tax title, will prepare an “Instrument of Taking” and record the document in the Barnstable 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 result in an Instrument of Redemption document that will required to be filed by the homeowner at Barnstable County Registry of Deeds to release the Tax Title status. 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.

Show All Answers

1. What is the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2024 (7/1/2023-6/30/2024)?
2. When are the Real Estate/Personal Property Tax bills mailed?
3. When are the Real Estate/Personal Property Taxes due?
4. Can I pay my Real Estate tax for the entire year at one time?
5. To whom should I make my check payable, and can I write one check for more than one tax bill?
6. Where should I mail payment if I am paying late?
7. Why is the payment coupon address in Boston, MA?
8. My Real Estate taxes are paid by my mortgage company, why am I getting the tax bill?
9. Do I need to send my Real Estate tax bill to my mortgage company?
10. I am the new owner of the property, why is the prior owners name still on the Real Estate bill?
11. What are Personal Property taxes?
12. What if I didn’t receive or misplaced my Real Estate/Personal Property Tax bill?
13. How can I change my mailing address?
14. I recently sold my property and am still receiving a Real Estate or Personal Property tax bill – why, and what should I do?
15. Is there a grace period on the Real Estate/Personal Property tax bills?
16. Do you accept postmarks for payment date receipt?
17. Can I make partial payments on Real Estate/Personal Property?
18. What are the interest rates for past due Real Estate/Personal Property bills?
19. I received a Real Estate/Personal Property Demand notice. Why?
20. My Real Estate taxes were delinquent, and my mortgage company paid them. Can they do this?
21. What is a CPA Tax?
22. I paid off my mortgage/equity, and need to release the lien on my property, where do I go to do this?
23. What are Real Estate Billing Steps?
24. What are Personal Property Billing Steps?
25. How do I get a receipt of payment?