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1. How is my tax amount figured?

The Board of Assessors office generates all the tax bills. Inquiries regarding this matter should be directed to them. Inquiries regarding wastewater and regular water bills should be directed to their respective departments.

Board of Assessors: 508-693-3554, ext. 201
Wastewater Department: 508-693-0343

2. I moved more than a year ago and I am still getting Oak Bluffs excise tax bills?

If your car is not garaged in Oak Bluffs and you are receiving excise tax bills for our municipality, you must contact the Oak Bluffs Assessors Office and apply for abatement. Since all account information is sent to us by the RMV, you should check with them to ensure that the information they have on file is correct. Failing to do so will result in having this problem reoccur.

You should never ignore your bills, even if you are certain that they are invalid. The problem will not be resolved without action from you. If the bill is late and you receive a partial abatement, you are still liable for payment of all accrued interest and penalties.

3. I sold my property in Oak Bluffs, why am I receiving a personal property bill?

Under Massachusetts General Law, if you are the owner of a property as of January 1 of the current calendar year, you will be assessed personal property tax for the full year. For example, if you owned your property in January of 2008, you would be liable for your personal property bill until July of 2009. If you would like to apply for an abatement, please contact the Assessors Office.

4. I would like to change my mailing address. Who do I talk to?

Boat Excise, Real Estate, and Personal Property account information may be changed through the Assessors Office at 508-693-3554, ext. 201

Wastewater and Water bill addresses are updated with their respective departments.
Wastewater Department 508-693-0343
Water District 508-693-5527

Motor Vehicle Excise tax mailing addresses must be changed with the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

5. What if I’m late with my payment?

The consequences for being late with your payment are different for each kind of tax. No building permits or business licenses will be issued by the town of Oak Bluffs if taxes are delinquent.

Real Estate and Personal Property taxes accrue interest at a rate of 14 percent. If your Real Estate tax payment is later than 12 months, the bill will be liened and go into tax title status, which will involve a newspaper advertisement for non-payment of taxes. A notice is sent out beforehand, allowing a window of time to pay the taxes in order to prevent your bill from being advertised. Once the bill is liened, it accrues interest at a rate of 16 percent. In addition to the increased interest rate, additional fees will be charged. If your bill has been liened, contact the Assistant Treasurer at 508-693-3554, ext. 102 for a payoff balance.

Motor Vehicle Excise taxes accrue interest at a rate of 12 percent. If you pay your bill 2 weeks or later past the due date (30 days from date of issue), a $5 Demand fee is added to the bill. If the Demand is not paid within 2 weeks, the bill goes into Warrant status, another notice is sent out, and more fees are added to it. If it is not paid within approximately 1 month, the bill goes into Final Warrant status, more penalties and fees are added, and another notice is sent. If the bill continues to go unpaid, it becomes flagged at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Once the bill becomes flagged, renewal of the license or registration is not possible until all outstanding excise taxes have been paid including bills that are not flagged or in warrant status). Flagged bills must be paid by money order or certified cashier’s check only.

Boat Excise tax bills accrue interest at a rate of 12 percent and will incur a demand fee and waterway fee if left unpaid.

6. When are taxes due?

Real Estate and Personal Property are due quarterly, as follows:
1st Quarter: August 1st
2nd Quarter: November 1st
3rd Quarter: February 1st
4th Quarter: May 1st

Motor Vehicle Excise: 30 Days from Date of Issue
Boat Excise: 60 Days from Date of Issue
Wastewater Usage: 60 Days from Date of Issue

If the date on which taxes are due falls on a weekend or holiday, the taxes will be due on the next regular business day.

7. When does the next tax bill come out?

Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills are generated and mailed out twice a year; the 1st and 2nd Quarters are mailed at the end of June and the 3rd and 4th Quarters by December 31.

Motor Vehicle Excise tax bills are generated and mailed depending on when you registered your car. The bills generated are based on the information which the Registry of Motor Vehicles has about your car. Although the bills are typically generated within an approximate time frame every year, there are no specific recurring dates on which they are delivered. Therefore, it is important for taxpayers to keep the Registry of Motor Vehicles accurately informed of their most current contact information.

Boat Excise tax bills are generated and mailed out in September, based on tax bills are generated and mailed out in September, based on the information given to the Assessors Office by the Environmental Police.

8. Who do I see if I believe my bill is incorrect?

You should contact the Assessors Office if you believe you are being taxed incorrectly. You may have the option to file for abatement. If you choose to do so, you should be prepared to provide adequate documentation as proof of your claim. Reconciliation of this information is the only way to ensure that your concerns are resolved properly.

9. Who do I see if I want to file for abatement?

Abatements must be filed with the Assessors Office.

10. Why am I being billed for a car or boat I don’t own anymore and what can I do about it?

The Registry of Motor Vehicles and the Environmental Police send the Assessors Office all information regarding tax bills for cars, trailers, and boats. However, they do not send documentation for people who get rid of their cars or boats. It is therefore up to the taxpayer to provide any documentation that proves a change in ownership status along with a request for abatement.