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, Treasurer
1st Floor, Town Hall
71 Mt. Vernon Street
Winchester, MA 01890 |
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:00 - 4:00
781-721-7124 |
ONLINE PAYMENTS
COMMISSIONERS OF TRUST FUNDS MINUTES
The Treasurer/Collector is responsible for all monies that the Town receives and dispenses. The duties and responsibilities of this office are defined in various chapters of Massachusetts General Law. The primary functions of the Treasurer include maintenance of Town funds, custodian of the Board of Retirement and various special trust funds, and investment of Town revenue. The Collector’s responsibilities include collecting real estate and auto excise taxes, collecting water/sewer bills, maintaining procedures for collecting parking tickets, issuing municipal lien certificates, reconciling warrants for payroll and payables, and issuing checks.
REAL ESTATE
What are the due dates for Real Estate Taxes?
Tax bills are issued four times a year. The quarterly tax payments are due on or around the following dates: August 1st; November 1st; February 1st; May 1st. The current residential real estate tax rate for the Town of Winchester for fiscal year 2007 is $10.33 per $1,000.
What if I don’t receive a Real Estate Tax Bill?
You can request a statement by calling the Town Treasurer’s Office at (781) 721-7123.
New Owner?
If you are a new property owner and have not received your tax bill from the previous owner, you can request a statement as described above.
What happens if I pay my Real Estate Tax late?
Interest of 14% per annum will start accruing at the close of business on the due date.
Under state law, Chapter 60, Section 3, failure to receive a bill does not affect the validity of the tax or any interest or fines incurred due to late payment(s). It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to secure his/her tax bill when one is not received.
Where do I mail my Real Estate Tax payment?
Please mail payment to:
Office of the Tax Collector
Town of Winchester
P. O. Box 4200
Winchester, MA 01890
Please make checks payable to: Town of Winchester. For proper crediting, write the bill number on the check and enclosed the remit portion of your tax bill. To obtain a receipt, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and both portions of the bill with the payment. One copy will be stamped "paid" and returned.
How do I change the old owner’s name that appears on the Tax Bill
after purchasing the property?
All changes of owner and/or address must be in writing and directed to the Assessors Office. This will change the mail to portion of the bill; the permanent change will take place when the Assessors Office receives the deed from the Registry of Probate.
What happens if there is an overpayment on my Real Estate Tax?
Overpayments will be applied to the next quarter unless it is the last quarter of the Fiscal Year. If an overpayment is made on the last quarter it will be refunded to the person or mortgage company that caused the credit balance.
What happens if I don’t pay my Real Estate Tax?
Tax payments must be received on or before the due date to avoid interest and demand charges. If payment is not made on or before the due date, the account will begin to accrue interest at the rate of 14% per annum, computed from the date the bill was due.
15 days after a 4th quarter bill a demand notice will be sent and a demand fee is charged against the account.
If the account remains delinquent after further attempts to notify owners and collect unpaid real estate taxes, the owner’s name, address and the amount owed will be advertised in the Winchester Star, and additional fees will be assessed.
If the account remains delinquent on June 30th of the fiscal year, a tax lien is placed on the property and is recorded with the Registry of Deeds. A tax lien is the first step in the foreclosure process. All taxes, costs, and interest must be paid to prevent foreclosure.
What should I do if I recently sold my property, but I am still receiving a tax bill?
If you receive a bill, please forward it to the new owner immediately as it is his/her responsibility to make payment.
How do I get a Municipal Lien Certificate?
If you wish to obtain a Municipal Lien Certificate, the following information is required:
Property Address and Current Owner.
Self-addressed stamped envelope is recommended if you wish the municipal lien certificate mailed to you.
How much will it cost and how long does it take?
The fee for a Municipal Lien Certificate is $60.00 for a residential property and $105.00 for commercial property. Acceptable forms of payment: attorney’s check, certified or registered check, personal check, and cash (if in person).
Mail to:
Office of the Tax Collector
Town of Winchester
71 Mt. Vernon St
Winchester, MA 01890
The Municipal Lien Certificate will be issued within 10 business days.
How much did I pay in Real Estate Tax Last Year?
You can request that information by calling the
Town Treasurers Office at (781) 721-7123.
Have you received my Real Estate payment from my bank?
You can request that information by calling the
Town Treasurers Office at (781) 721-7123.
What if I am buying a condominium that is in the middle of a conversion?
Until the conversion is completed, the property is recognized as just one parcel. There is only one bill for all units, and it is between you and all the other unit owners how the Real Estate bill is divided. You must also notify your mortgage company as to how much your portion of the Real Estate bill should be paid.
MOTOR EXCISE
What is Motor Excise Tax?
Chapter 60A of Massachusetts General Laws imposes an excise for the privilege of registering a motor vehicle or a trailer on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The excise is levied annually in lieu of a tangible personal property tax.
The excise is levied by the city or town where the vehicle is principally garaged, and the revenues become part of the local community treasury.
The Registry of Motor Vehicles prepares data for excise bills according to the information on the motor vehicle registration and sends it to city or town assessors. Cities and towns then prepare bills based on excise data sent by the Registry in compliance with Registry requirements.
How is the Motor Excise Tax determined?
The amount of the excise is based on the value of the motor vehicle, which value is based upon the manufacturers list price.
Various percentages of the manufacturer's list price are applied.
In the year preceding the designated year of manufacture
(brand new car released before model year): 50%
In the designated year of manufacture: 90%
In the second year: 60%
In the third year: 40%
In the fourth year: 25%
In the fifth and succeeding years: 10%
Once the value of the vehicle is determined, an excise at the rate of $25.00 per thousand is assessed. Excises are assessed annually, on a calendar year basis, by the assessors of the city or town in which the vehicle is garaged.
If a vehicle is registered after January 31, it is taxed for the period extending from the first day of the month in which it is registered to the end of the calendar year. For example , if a vehicle is registered on April 30, it will taxable as of April 1, for the nine months of the year (April through December). In no event shall the excise be assessed for less than $5.00 nor shall an abatement or refund under Section 1 of Chapter 60A reduce an excise to less than $5.00.
Where should I mail the Motor Excise payment?
Please mail payment to:
Office of the Tax Collector
Town of Winchester
P. O. Box 4200
Winchester, MA 01890
Please make checks payable to: Town of Winchester.
For proper crediting, write the bill number on the check and enclosed the top portion of your tax bill. To obtain a receipt, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and both portions of the bill with the payment. One will be stamped "paid" and returned.
When are the payments due for Motor Excise?
Payment of the motor vehicle excise is due within 30 days from the date the excise bill is issued (not mailed, as is popularly believed).
NOTE: A person who does not receive a bill is still liable for the excise plus any interest charges accrued. Therefore, it is important to keep the Registry, the Town of Winchester, and the post office informed of a current name and address so that the excise bills can be delivered promptly.
All owners of motor vehicles must pay an excise tax; therefore, it is the responsibility of the owner to contact the Office of the Tax Collector if you have not received a bill.
What if I do not receive a Motor Excise Tax bill?
You can request a statement by calling the Town Treasurer’sOffice at
(781) 721-7123.
What if I mail in my Motor Excise Tax payment late?
If an excise is not paid within 30 days from the issue date, the account will be assessed a $5.00 demand charge. If payment in full (including the demand charge) is not received within 14 days of the date of issue of the demand, an additional $22.00 warrant charge will assessed. If payment in full (including the demand and warrant charges) is not received within 30 days of the date of issue of the warrant charge, a service warrant will be delivered to the taxpayers residence and an additional $22.00 will be assessed.
If the payment in full (including the demand, warrant, and service of warrant charges) is not received within 14 days, the Office of the Tax Collector notifies the Registry of Motor Vehicles of non-payment, and the Registry then marks the individual’s registration preventing the renewal of the motor vehicle registration and the owner’s drivers license until such time as the Registry of Motor Vehicles is notified that payment in full of all outstanding vehicles taxes and parking tickets has been made to the Town of Winchester.
This payment includes a $20.00 release fee as the final assessment. Interest accrues on the overdue bill from the day after the due date until the date of payment at an annual rate of 12 percent. Only payment in full for each excise tax bill is accepted. Any partial payment will be returned. Payment in full includes all charges and interest.
My Vehicle’s Registration and my Driver License have been marked for Non-Renewal at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, how do I clear this at the Registry?
Once payment of all outstanding excise and parking tickets in money order, bank check, or cash is made, the Town will give the motorist a certified receipt of payment, so he/she can return to the Registry to renew his/her registration or license.
Can I make partial payments on Motor Excise?
NO. Only payment in full for each excise tax bill is accepted. Any partial payment will be returned to the taxpayer via US mail. Payment in full includes all charges and interest.
What do I do if I sell or trade my car?
If an excise bill is received for a vehicle which was traded, it is recommended to:
Pay the bill in full, and provide a copy of the new registration with an application for abatement with the Assessors Office. (781) 721-7111.
If an excise bill is received for a vehicle which has been sold it is recommended to:
• Pay the bill in full, and return the plates to the Registry of Motor Vehicles
• Get a Return Plate Receipt
• File an application for abatement with the Assessors Office (781) 721-7111.
What do I do if I move out of Winchester?
If a motor vehicle owner moves within Massachusetts, he/she should:
Pay the motor vehicle excise if he/she resided in the Town of Winchester on January 1st.
If the owner moved before the first of the year, he/she must pay the tax to the new community to which the owner moved. If the owner did not notify the Registry that he/she moved before the first of the year, it may be necessary to file for an abatement with the Town of Winchester, which had sent the excise bill.
File the abatement at the Town of Winchester Assessors Office (781) 721-7111.
If a motor vehicle owner moves out of Massachusetts, he/she should:
• Pay the motor vehicle if he/she resided in the Town of Winchester on January1st.
• Return the plates to the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Massachusetts
• Get a Return Plate Receipt
• Apply for a partial refund with the Town of Winchester Assessors Office (781) 721-7111.
Am I entitled to an abatement?
If an owner of a motor vehicle thinks that he/she is entitled to an adjustment of his/her excise bill, it is strongly recommended that he/she:
Pay the bill in full, then contact the Town of Winchester Assessors office for an
application for an abatement. Assessors office must receive application for abatement by December 31 of the year following the year of the tax.
NOTE: It excise tax bills are unpaid, an owner risks incurring late fees and penalties that are non-refundable or waived.
Abatements can be filed if:
• The owner believes the assessment is incorrect, or
• If the vehicle was stolen, or
• If the vehicle was sold during the year in which it is being taxed and the registration was properly cancelled, or
• If the owner moved from the Town of Winchester to another city or town, or
• If the registration is cancelled, it is most important to return the plate(s) to the Registry of Motor Vehicles and to obtain a return plate receipt.
When an abatement is granted, excise bills are prorated by the month. Thus the owner is responsible for the excise accrued through the month in which the car was last registered to him/her.
PARKING TICKETS
Are there any parking bans in Winchester?
There is no parking on any public street between 1 A.M. 7 A.M. for more than one hour.
Can I Appeal a Parking Ticket?
To appeal a parking ticket, you may request a hearing in person at the Winchester Police Station or Winchester Parking Clerk
30 Mt. Vernon Street 71 Mt. Vernon Street
Winchester, MA 01890 Winchester, MA 01890
Or by mailing in a written request to:
Town of Winchester Parking Clerk
71 Mt. Vernon Street
Winchester, MA 01890
Questions concerning the violation or hearing process can be answered over the phone by calling the Office of the Parking Clerk at (781) 721-7123.
When requesting a hearing be sure to indicate the nature of the dispute as clearly as possible and include your name, address, the plate registration and the ticket number(s) to be disputed.
How long do I have to pay a Parking Ticket?
Payment must be made within twenty-one (21) days of the date of issue. A fine increase will be assessed if the violation remains unpaid after 21 days. If it remains unpaid the violation is forwarded to the Registry of Motors Vehicles to be marked for non-renewal, and additional fines and penalties will be assessed.
What happens if I pay a Parking Ticket Late?
Full payments are required for parking tickets. All additional fees and charges need to be included with a late payment. Partial payments will be returned.
What happens if I do not pay a Parking Ticket?
If a parking ticket goes unpaid past 21 days, a fine increase is applied and a notice is sent to the registered owner, if not paid after the first notice, the Town of Winchester sends out a second notice without any charges. If that is not paid, the violation is forwarded to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles for non-renewal of the registered owners drivers license or motor vehicle registration.
There shall be an additional Registry fee of twenty ($20.00) dollars assessed in accordance with Section 20A1/2 of Chapter 90 Massachusetts General Laws (as amended by Section 22 Chapter 153 of the Acts of 1992).
TAX RELIEF AVAILABLE TO SENIOR CITIZENS
Winchester senior citizens should be aware that there are several programs available through the Town and State to provide significant tax relief to those in need. Recently, Town Meeting changed some of the requirements for the elderly exemptions including reducing the age to 65 and increasing the amount of the exemption. Below is a summary of some of the available programs.
Elderly Statutory Property Tax Exemption:
Persons 65 years of age and over, who meet the income and asset requirements, are eligible for up to $1,000 off their property tax bill. For more information, contact the Assessors Office at 781-721-7111.
Elderly Work Program:
Persons 60 and over, who meet the income requirements, and who provide work assistance to Town departments such as the Council on Aging and Library, are eligible to earn a credit of up to $750 off their property tax bill. For more information, contact the Council on Aging at 781-721-7136.
Voluntary Contribution Fund For Senior Citizens and Disabled Citizens:
Many Winchester residents have made voluntary contributions to provide property tax assistance to those seniors and disabled residents in need. Seniors 60 and over and disabled citizens who meet the income requirements are eligible for up to $500 in property tax assistance through this program. For more information, contact the Assessor’s Office at 781-721-7111.
Property Tax Deferral Program:
Seniors 65 and over who meet the income requirements are eligible to defer all, or a portion, of their annual property tax until they transfer ownership of the property. For more information, contact the Assessor’s Office at 781-721-7111.
State Circuit Breaker Law:
Seniors 65 and over whose combined property taxes and water and sewer charges exceed 10% of their income are eligible for a state income tax credit of up to $750. Contact your Income Tax preparer for assistance.
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