New Taxpayers
Welcome to the Town of Holland
We are pleased that you have made the decision to purchase property in Holland and hope that you enjoy many years of happiness in your new home. This letter is written as a courtesy to make you aware of the Town’s taxation process as it may not have been discussed with you at the closing.
WHO CREATES THE TAX BILL:
It is the responsibliity of the Assessor's office to establish the taxable valuation of each individual piece of property in the Town of Holland. The Assessor's, however, do not create value. Buyers and sellers create value via their transaction in the marketplace. The Assessors have the legal responsibility to study those transactions and assess the property accordingly.
TOWN MEETING AND THE BUDGET:
At Town meeting each year a budget is voted on by those in attendance taking into account the limits of propsition 2 1/2 and how much money will be needed to meet all the appropriations and other expenses. The Assessors have no control over the Town's budget.
The difference between the amount approved and the money received from other revenue sources (i.e... state aid, licensing fees, permits, automobile excise) must be raised by property taxation. The assessed values are developed independently from the budget and are used only in the last step of the budgeting process to distribute the tax levy.
THE TAX RATE 2024 rate is $13.55 per $1,000 valuation.
The tax rate is calculated by taking the total tax to be levied and dividing by the valuation of taxable property.
HOLLAND BILLING:
The Town of Holland currently bills on a quarterly basis. Please note that bills less than $50.00 quarterly are billed twice a year.
Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills for the fiscal year cover the period of July 1st of the previous year to June 30th of the current fiscal year. Payments are due by 4 p.m. in the Tax Collector's office on the due dates. The first and second quarter bill will issued on July 1st and due on August 1st and November 1st respectively (or the following regular business day anytime a due date falls on a weekend or holiday) The 3rd & 4th quarter bills will be issued on January 1st and due on February 1st and May 1st respectively.
The taxrate should be set in time for the third quarterly bill to be mailed for January 1st. Postmarks are not considered payment in a timely fashion per Massachusetts General Law. Interest at an annual rate of 14% per annum is assessed on all payments received after the due dates. Interest on Real Estate and Personal Property taxes is charged from the due date until the tax is paid. A tax balance still remaining unpaid after May 1st will result in the issuance of a demand bill and an additional $20.00 fee. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to ensure that tax bills arrive in the Collector's office on or before the due dates. The first quarterly tax bill will be issued immediatly thereafter on July 1st of the new fiscal year. (see below)
QUARTERLY TAX BILLS:
The Town of Holland will issue it's first quarterly tax bill on July 1, 2024. The first two quarters of the fiscal year tax bills are estimated tax bills and payments are based on the last fiscal years taxes. (Example the total tax on your property is $2,000 for the fiscal year 2024 bill, therefore the first two tax bills would be $2,000/4 or $500 for each of the first two quarters of the fiscal year 2025). The last two quarters, commonly called the actual tax bills are calculated by subtracting the first two estimated tax payments from your total tax bill and dividing that amount in half. (Example your total tax bill is $2,200 for FY25 therefore your 3rd & 4th quarter tax bills will be $2,200-($500 x 2) = $1,200 divided by two or $600 for each of the last two quarters.
MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR BILL:
Massachusetts general law requires that the property tax bill must be sent to the owner of record as of January 1st of the previous year. This means if your deed was recorded after January 1, 2024, the fiscal year 2025 tax bill would be in the former owner’s name since they were the owner of record as of January 1, 2024. In many cases this bill will be sent to or forwarded to the former owner if an in-care-of has not been added to the tax bill. If an in-care-of has been added to the tax bill, chances are that the Assessor’s would use your old mailing address to add the in-care-of to the tax bill as they get their billing information from the actual deed. Please make sure the Assessor’s office has your correct mailing information. To check your records click here to check your assessment data.
- MAKE SURE YOUR NAME IS ADDED TO THE BILL AND YOUR ADDRESS IS CORRECT
Billing addresses are updated with the Assessor’s office. Failure to get your tax bill does not stay the collection of that bill. Click here to update you address online.
TOWN CLERK:
To register to vote, to obtain a birth, death or marriage certificate, or to obtain a dog license, please see the Town Clerk. Click here to visit the Town Clerk's page.
TOWN HALL HOURS:
The Town Hall building is open Monday through Thursday 9:00AM to 12:00PM and 1:00PM to 4:00PM. Check with each of the departments and boards for further information on their hours of operation or meeting times as they may vary.