Treasurer/Collector

We are pleased that you made the decision to reside in Paxton and hope that you have many years of success and happiness in your new home.

This letter is written as a courtesy to make you aware of the Town’s taxation process as it may not have been discussed with you at your closing: Massachusetts general law requires that the Real Estate and Personal Property tax bill must be sent to the owner of record as of the January 1st date immediately preceding that start of the fiscal year. This means that if you had purchased Real Estate or Personal Property in Paxton after January 1st the tax bills for July 1st to June 30th 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. All attempts are made to include a c/o for a new owner but the registry of deeds has a minimum 3 month delay in forwarding copies of deeds to the municipalities. Please call the Tax Collector’s office (508) 799-7347 x1015 to have a copy of your bill mailed to you. Massachusetts law states that your failure to receive a tax bill does not invalidate the tax or the proceedings for collection.

The Town Real Estate & Personal Property tax bills are issued quarterly, but are mailed semiannually. The first two quarters (August 1st and November 1st) are preliminary tax bills and each normally represents ¼ of the prior year’s total annual tax. The second two quarters (Feb 1st and May 1st) are the actual tax bills and reflect your current assessment and the town’s tax rate. Bills are mailed thirty days prior to the above listed due dates. 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 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 Collectors 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.

Interest at an annual rate of 14% per diem 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 $30.00 demand fee.

Continued failure to remit the balance will result in additional costs and the securing of the lien on the property through a tax taking process. Public notice will be posted in a local newspaper and in two public places. An Instrument of Taking will then be recorded at the Worcester County Registry of Deeds. Foreclosure proceedings will begin at the earliest date allowed by law.

Motor Vehicle excise is issued annually to each registration with the bulk of the bills being due in March. Motor Vehicle tax bills may be issued during the fiscal year if you have purchased a new vehicle and or transferred plates.

Requests for abatements and exemptions should be made to the Board of Assessors and change of address forms are also available, please call (508) 799-7347 x1016.

About the Treasurer/Collector

The Town Treasurer is responsible for investing, borrowing, and managing all of Town funds received or disbursed: including reconciling monthly bank statements, transfers funds between accounts, and debt management of  Town funds. As part of the Treasurer's function, this office establishes and maintains Tax Title accounts on all delinquent tax accounts.

The Collector's office maintains the billing and collection of real estate, personal property, and excise taxes in a timely manner, pursues the collection of water, electric, and trash liens, betterments and other federal, state and municipal fees and charges,  maintains records of each account and transmits the funds to the Treasurer and reconciles with the Town Accountant.

Staff Contacts

Name Title Phone
Donna Couture Treasurer/Collector (508) 799-7347 ext 1201
Amanda DeRezendes Assistant Treasurer/Collector (508) 799-7347 ext 1201