Real Estate / CPA FAQs

1. Where should I mail my tax payment?2. How do I check the ownership or value on a property?
3. How do I change my mailing address?4. How can I change the name on the Tax Bill after purchasing a Parcel of property?
5. When are the Real Estate Tax Bills mailed and what are their due dates?6. Why is there no assessment shown on my 1st half bill?
7. Where do I file an Abatement Application?8. What should I do if I don’t receive my bill?
9. What happens if I don’t pay my tax bill?10. What do I need to do if my mortgage company pays my tax bill?
11. Why should I pay interest on a late payment if I never received my bill?12. Who is responsible for the taxes once the property is sold?
13. What happens if a check bounces?14. How may I obtain a Municipal Lien Certificate?
15. What is the CPA Charge on my bill?16. How is CPA Tax Calculated?

1. Where should I mail my tax payment?

Please send your payment and remittance slip to: Town of Chilmark, PO Box 119, Chilmark, MA 02535. Please make checks payable to the Town of Chilmark. If you do not have a remittance slip, for proper crediting, please write the parcel ID (Map, Block, Lot) or Bill # on the check. To obtain a receipt, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and both portions of the bill with the payment.

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2. How do I check the ownership or value on a property?

Go to the Property Values Search on the Assessor’s Webpage or contact the Assessor at (508) 645-2102.

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3. How do I change my mailing address?

Please complete an Address Change Form and return it to the Assessor’s Office at PO Box 119, Chilmark, MA  02535.

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4. How can I change the name on the Tax Bill after purchasing a Parcel of property?

New owners will be automatically updated by the Assessor's Office upon receipt of a copy of the recorded deed from the Registry of Deeds. If the sale is very close to a tax due date, you may call the Collector's Office at (508) 645-2108 or email for a copy of the bill. You may also update the mailing address on the tax bill by completing the Address Change Form and returning it to the Assessor’s Office at PO Box 119, Chilmark, MA 02535. Per MGL 59 § 11, the bill is assessed to the person who is the owner as of January 1st. This is the reason that the bill will remain in the previous owners name until the next Fiscal Year “Actual” bill is issued. As a courtesy the Assessor addresses the bill as C/O in the new owners name.

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5. When are the Real Estate Tax Bills mailed and what are their due dates?

Tax bills are mailed two times a year. The 1st half bills are mailed by July 1st and due October 1st. The 2nd half bills are mailed by December 31st and due April 1st.

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6. Why is there no assessment shown on my 1st half bill?

The 1st half bills are preliminary bills based on the prior year tax rate and values. The 2nd half bill (referred to as “actuals”) will show the current year tax rate and assessed value. For assessment/valuation questions, please contact the Assessor at (508) 645-2102.

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7. Where do I file an Abatement Application?

You can file an application with the Assessor's Office, PO Box 119, Chilmark, MA 02535. For more information please contact the Assessor at (508) 645-2102.

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8. What should I do if I don’t receive my bill?

You should request a duplicate tax bill via email or by calling the Collector’s Office at (508) 645-2108 to request a copy of the bill.

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9. What happens if I don’t pay my tax bill?

Tax payments must be received on or before the due date to avoid interest 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 until payment is made. A demand notice will be sent and a demand fee of $5.00 is charged against the account. If the account remains outstanding after the issuance of the demand notice, a warrant notice is sent. The initial warrant fee is $22.00. If the initial warrant remains unpaid a final warrant fee is delivered with an additional charge of $17.00. Please note that demand and warrant notices are sent only on the 2nd half bills. If the account remains delinquent after the final warrant due date, the tax lien (a legal claim placed on property for debt) process is started on the property. This tax taking process includes additional fees and interest, an advertisement in the local paper and will then be recorded with the Dukes County Registry of Deeds. Once the property is in Tax Title, please contact the Treasurer’s Office for more information. Additionally, delinquent taxpayer lists are dispersed among specific Departments within Town Hall. Chilmark accepted MGL 40 § 57 to deny any application for, or revoke or suspend any local license or permit including renewals or transfers issued by any board or department for any person, business, or corporation who has neglected to pay taxes, fees, betterments and assessments, or any other municipal charges for not less than 12 months.

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10. What do I need to do if my mortgage company pays my tax bill?

If your taxes are escrowed by a bank or mortgage company, you will want to ensure that they make timely payment. Most banks and mortgage companies subscribe to a tax service that will notify them directly of the tax amount due. However, if you have recently purchased, refinanced, or have a mortgage company that does not subscribe to a tax service, it will be up to you to notify them by forwarding your tax bill to them.

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11. Why should I pay interest on a late payment if I never received my bill?

Under state law, 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 contact the Tax Collector and obtain the tax amount due when a tax bill is not received. You may request a duplicate tax bill via email or by calling the Collector's Office at (508) 645-2108. However, the request must be received early enough to allow sufficient time to avoid late charges.

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12. Who is responsible for the taxes once the property is sold?

Although the tax bill will bear the name of the assessed owner as of January 1, the new owner is responsible for all taxes once the sale of the property is finalized. The amount of tax owed by the previous owner is determined at the time of closing. After closing, the new owner must pay all Real Estate Tax Bills as they become due in order to avoid interest and late charges.

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13. What happens if a check bounces?

If your check is returned due to insufficient funds, absence of signature, or technical error, the account will have the same status as an 'unpaid' account. You will receive notice from the Tax Collector notifying you of the insufficient funds. As provided by law, a penalty charge of $25.00 or 1% of the amount of the check (whichever is greater) will be assessed to your tax account for each bad check received, in addition to any other fees and interest applicable.

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14. How may I obtain a Municipal Lien Certificate?

If you wish to obtain a Municipal Lien Certificate (MLC), the following are required: List the Parcel ID (Map, Block and Lot.), owner's name, property location, include a check payable to the Town of Chilmark, in the amount of $25.00 per parcel, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. You may also complete the Municipal Lien Certificate Request Form and mail your request to: Tax Collector, PO Box 119, Chilmark, MA  02535. Please allow ten (10) business days for processing.

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15. What is the CPA Charge on my bill?

CPA = Community Preservation Act Tax

The money collected from this tax is turned over the Community Preservation Committee and is used for open land acquisition, historic preservation and affordable housing. Chilmark started collecting CPA Tax in 2002.

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16. How is CPA Tax Calculated?

Tax is calculated at 3% of the current fiscal year assessment, less the first $100,000 of valuation, multiplied by the tax rate. Property assessed for less than $100,000 does not pay CPA Tax. 

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