General Information:
Swampscott real estate and personal property taxes are paid on a quarterly basis. The fiscal year cbegins on July 1 and ends on June 30 of each year. The following chart outlines the payment system:
 *If the due date falls on a Sat., Sun. or legal holiday, taxes are due the first business day thereafter.
Payment Information:
The Elihu Thomson Administration Building is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, through Thursday; and 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday. The Building is closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Mailing address for governmental offices:
Town of Swampscott
Office of the Collector of Taxes
22 Monument Ave.
Swampscott, MA 01907-1977
24-hour, Seven-day-a-week Service:
We have installed a secure, stainless steel, tamper-proof, locked drop-off box for after-hours tax payments at the entrance to the Town Administration Building near the top of the handicapped access ramp. This box is checked by the Collector every morning, every night and on weekends. Be sure your name and address appears on the outside of any envelope deposited into the drop-off box.
Penalty for late payment:
Interest at an annual rate of 14%, computed per day, is assessed on all payments received at the Collector’s Office after the due dates outlined above. POSTMARKS DO NOT VERIFY TIMELY PAYMENT.
Important tax payment tips:
If taxes are paid from a bank escrow account, send both copies of your bill to your bank when you receive them from Town Hall. The first quarter tax bill is mailed before July 1st. The second quarter tax bill is mailed before October 1st. The third quarter tax bill is mailed before January 1st. The fourth quarter tax bill is mailed before April 1st.
Do not enclose cash.
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.
To request a receipt, you must include both copies of your bill and a stamped self-addressed envelope with your payment. If you are a new home owner, please understand that Massachusetts law requires that the tax bill be sent to the record owner as of the previous January 1. You should retrieve a copy of your tax bill at Town Hall 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.
Questions concerning tax payments should be addressed to the Collector at (781) 596-8856.
Questions concerning valuations, over-valuations, abatements including the elderly, blind, veterans’ or hardships, exemptions or deferrals must be addressed to the [Link]Assessors Office at (781) 596-8858.
|