Real Estate Tax Information

The Town of Orleans implemented a quarterly tax payment cycle effective fiscal year 2019, and bills are now due and payable on August 1, November 1, February 1, and May 1. Tax bills are mailed July 1 and January 1, with two quarterly bills in each mailing. Under this system, property taxes for the first two quarter payments are called Preliminary and are estimated, each based on one-quarter of the net taxes assessed in the prior year. The bills for the third and fourth quarters are called the Actual tax bills, completer with the property assessment, tax rate and total tax for the year. This is based upon the total year's tax, less the amount paid on the first two preliminary tax notices, divided into two equal amounts.

Property Tax Bills

Property tax bills are sent by the Collector to the owners of record as of January first prior to the start of the fiscal year. Non-receipt of a Tax bill by a taxpayer does not relieve one from the obligation of paying the property tax plus any interest or penalties which may accrue on the unpaid bill. Property owners are advised to contact the Collector's Office at 508-240-3700, ext. 2420, if they have not received a bill within two or three weeks of the due date.

Persons who have purchased property in Orleans should notify the Tax Assessors Department in writing, of their status as new owners and request that the bill be mailed to them at the appropriate address. Questions concerning assessed owners, assessments and mailing addresses should be directed to the Tax Assessors at 508-240-3700, ext. 2430.

The fiscal year for property tax covers the period from July 1 to June 30. Current fiscal taxes are assessed to owner of record on January 1 of that year. The quarterly billing dates are as follows:

If the normal due date falls on a weekend or a holiday, the actual due date is the next business day. Interest at an annual rate of 14% is charged for late payments from the due date.

The Abatement Process

An abatement application can be filed once tax bills have been issued. The Assessors Office cannot accept applications before those bills are mailed out. The deadline for filing an abatement application with the Assessors Office is February 1st.

Application for Exemption or Deferral

If you qualify for an exemption or deferral, the deadline for filing an application is April 1st.

Penalties for Late Payment

Massachusetts law mandates that payments received after the due date are subject to interest from the day after the due date to the date when payment is made. The current mandated rate is 14 per cent per annum. Timely payments are those which are received in the Collector's Office by 4:30 pm on the due date. Payments made by mail that are received after the due date bearing earlier postmarks do not qualify as being timely. A demand fee of $10 will be charged if payments are not made in full by May 15th.

Note: In accordance with Town of Orleans Bylaws Chapter 94-6, the renewal or granting of Town licenses or permits may be denied if the taxpayer, owner, permit customer, or subject property has tax bills, water charges, betterments, assessments, or other municipal charges past due. Please see the section titled "Delinquent Charges/Licenses and Permits".

Receive Email Alerts on Tax Bill Due Dates

Sign up to receive email notices/alerts when tax bills have been generated. You will be reminded via email that payment due dates are approaching, and late fees can then be avoided. Email the Tax Collector to send us a note with your email address to sign up for these reminder notices.