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How to pay your real estate taxes

Last updated:

You have four options to pay your City of Boston property taxes:

Step
1

Before you get started online

The City operates on a fiscal year that starts on July 1 and ends on June 30. We use a quarterly tax billing system, meaning we mail tax bills four times per year:

  • First quarter: July 1
  • Second quarter: October 1
  • Third quarter: January 1
  • Fourth quarter: April 1

We send tax bills 30 days before their due date. Your quarterly tax bills are due on these dates:

  • First-quarter bills: August 1
  • Second-quarter bills: November 1
  • Third-quarter bills: February 1
  • Fourth-quarter bills: May 1

If the first of the month falls on a weekend, your bill is due on the following Monday.

Assessed taxes on real estate stay with the property — not the name on the tax bill. So, if you own the property, you need to make sure that the property taxes are paid. Otherwise, the unpaid taxes could result in a lien against the property.

The name on the tax bill is the property owner on January 1 before the start of the given fiscal year. If you sell a property and we still mail you a tax bill, please forward it to the new owner of the property.

Step
2

Pay your bill online

You can pay your real estate taxes with a credit or debit card or a checking account.

Please note:
  • Payments made by electronic check/ACH are not subject to a service fee. However, payments made by debit or credit card will incur a non-refundable service fee of 2.75% of the total payment amount ($1.00 minimum).
  • The online service is closed daily from 11 p.m. to 12 a.m. If you have any questions about payments, call the Collector’s Office at 617-635-4136.

Pay property taxes online

Step
1

Before you get started by phone

The City operates on a fiscal year that starts on July 1 and ends on June 30. We use a quarterly tax billing system, meaning we mail tax bills four times per year:

  • First quarter: July 1
  • Second quarter: October 1
  • Third quarter: January 1
  • Fourth quarter: April 1

We send tax bills 30 days before their due date. Your quarterly tax bills are due on these dates:

  • First-quarter bills: August 1
  • Second-quarter bills: November 1
  • Third-quarter bills: February 1
  • Fourth-quarter bills: May 1

If the first of the month falls on a weekend, your bill is due on the following Monday.

Assessed taxes on real estate stay with the property — not the name on the tax bill. So, if you own the property, you need to make sure that the property taxes are paid. Otherwise, the unpaid taxes could result in a lien against the property.

The name on the tax bill is the property owner on January 1 before the start of the given fiscal year. If you sell a property and we still mail you a tax bill, please forward it to the new owner of the property.

Step
2

Call the City

Please note:

You will need your bill number to pay by phone. It can be found on your bill next to the ward and parcel numbers.  If the bill number is less than 6 digits, you will need to add leading zeros.

You can pay over the phone using an interactive voice response operator by calling 855-731-9898. We accept payments made using a credit or debit card, or a checking account. Our pay-by-phone system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Step
1

Before you get started by mail

The City operates on a fiscal year that starts on July 1 and ends on June 30. We use a quarterly tax billing system, meaning we mail tax bills four times per year:

  • First quarter: July 1
  • Second quarter: October 1
  • Third quarter: January 1
  • Fourth quarter: April 1

We send tax bills 30 days before their due date. Your quarterly tax bills are due on these dates:

  • First-quarter bills: August 1
  • Second-quarter bills: November 1
  • Third-quarter bills: February 1
  • Fourth-quarter bills: May 1

If the first of the month falls on a weekend, your bill is due on the following Monday.

Assessed taxes on real estate stay with the property — not the name on the tax bill. So, if you own the property, you need to make sure that the property taxes are paid. Otherwise, the unpaid taxes could result in a lien against the property.

The name on the tax bill is the property owner on January 1 before the start of the given fiscal year. If you sell a property and we still mail you a tax bill, please forward it to the new owner of the property.

Step
2

Mail us your payment

You can pay with a check or money order made payable to the City of Boston. Please remember to detach the bottom part of your real estate or personal property tax bill and send it with your payment. Send your payment to:

City of Boston, Box 55808
Boston, MA 02205
Step
1

Before you get started in person

The City operates on a fiscal year that starts on July 1 and ends on June 30. We use a quarterly tax billing system, meaning we mail tax bills four times per year:

  • First quarter: July 1
  • Second quarter: October 1
  • Third quarter: January 1
  • Fourth quarter: April 1

We send tax bills 30 days before their due date. Your quarterly tax bills are due on these dates:

  • First-quarter bills: August 1
  • Second-quarter bills: November 1
  • Third-quarter bills: February 1
  • Fourth-quarter bills: May 1

If the first of the month falls on a weekend, your bill is due on the following Monday.

Assessed taxes on real estate stay with the property — not the name on the tax bill. So, if you own the property, you need to make sure that the property taxes are paid. Otherwise, the unpaid taxes could result in a lien against the property.

The name on the tax bill is the property owner on January 1 before the start of the given fiscal year. If you sell a property and we still mail you a tax bill, please forward it to the new owner of the property.

Step
2

Get your payment together

At City Hall, we accept cash, credit cards, pinless debit cards, and checks or money orders made payable to the City of Boston.

If you use a credit card or pinless debit card, there is a non-refundable service fee of 2.5% of the total payment, with a $1 minimum. This fee is paid to the card processor and not kept by the City.

PLEASE NOTE:

If your debit card requires you to enter your pin to process a payment, you CANNOT use it to pay your fee.

Step
3

Go to Boston City Hall

Bring the copy of your tax bill and payment to City Hall:

Mezzanine level, Window M-10, 11, 12

1 City Hall Square

Boston, MA 02201

Office hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Keep in mind

Tax bills for condo parking spaces

As a condominium unit owner, you may receive a separate tax bill for your parking space. If you get two bills, you will see one for the condo unit (listed as Class: CD) and one for the parking space (listed as Class: CP). You need to pay both bills since they represent the full value of the property.

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT TAXES?

To get tax information for the current fiscal year, call the Taxpayer Referral and Assistance Center at 617-635-4287. For previous years, call the Collector’s office at 617-635-4131. We also have a page about common issues with your tax bill.

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