Real Estate & Personal Property Taxes

The Collector / Treasurer 's Office is responsible for the collection of all real estate taxes and is located at:
Needham Town Hall
1471 Highland Avenue
First Floor
Needham, MA 02492

Fiscal Year Taxes

Real Estate bills are mailed and taxes are collected on a quarterly basis. The fiscal year for property tax is July 1 to June 30. The schedule of mailings, due dates, and the three months each payment covers is outlined on the following chart.

Payments & Late Charges

Payments can be made as follows:

• Using the envelope provided, mail to
  Town of Needham
  Collector of Taxes
  P.O. Box 920636
  Needham, MA 02492
• Via your online banking system
• In person at the Collector / Treasurer's office 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday

Should your mortgage company be making your property tax payments from an escrow account, you should contact the mortgage company to determine whether if they need you to forward the tax bill to them. Massachusetts General Law states that it is the property owner's responsibility to make sure the real estate bill has been received, as well as forwarded to their mortgage company prior to the due date. All checks should be made payable to the Town of Needham. Interest at the rate of 14.0% per annum will be charged on unpaid and overdue amounts i.e. those that arrive after the quarterly due dates. Postmarks are not accepted as proof of timely payment.

Preliminary & Actual Taxes

Bills for the first and second quarters are estimated tax bills. These bills are based on one-fourth of the prior year's tax bill plus amounts reflecting the allowed proposition 2.5% increase, as well as amounts due from overrides - from both the most recent election and/or prior elections. Bills issued for the third and fourth quarter are actual tax bills. These bills reflect changes in valuation and a change in the tax rate set by the Selectmen in December. Bills also reflect a 2.0% Community Preservation Act (CPA) surcharge enacted by the voters in May of 2006.

Abatements

If you believe your property has been unfairly assessed, an abatement application can be made via a form provided by the Assessor's office. This form is available as soon as third quarter taxes and valuations are known. Completed applications are due to the Assessor's Office on or before February 1.

Tax Relief

The town provides multiple opportunities for tax relief. Exemptions, which release an individual from the requirement to pay all or a fraction of their property tax, are available within the following categories:

• Blind
• Disabled Veterans
• Elderly
• Minor Children of Deceased / Deceased Public Safety
• Widows / Widowers

Deferrals and temporary deferrals permit the individual to postpone payment of property taxes. A Property Tax Relief fund is available to make disbursements of up to $600 for qualifying elderly and disabled citizens. The Assessor's Office, administrator of these programs, should be contacted for forms, applications, deadlines, and application criteria. The Council on Aging is available to assist with any of these applications. The Council on Aging also administers the Senior Tax Work Off program. This program allows senior citizens to work for the town up to 100 hours per year and have these earnings credited to their property tax bill.

More Information

If you have questions on your assessment or need information on abatements or exemptions, contact the Assessor's Office at 781-455-7500. The assessors can also be contacted in writing to update ownership or billing address. If you have questions on your bills and/or payments, contact the Collector / Treasurer's Office at 781-455-7500.