Treasurer/Collector

Image of Preliminary Tax Bill ChangesPAYMENT OF BILLS TO THE CITY:

The Office of the Treasurer/Collector is open to the public. If you need to pay any bills such as: real estate, personal property, excise, or utility bills, there are several methods you can use:

  1. Mail payment to the City's Processing Center: P.O. Box 4121, Woburn, MA  01888
  2. Mail payment to the Treasurer/Collector:  212 Main Street, Northampton, MA  01060
  3. Online at the City’s website at Online Payments
  4. Drop payment off in the secure drop slot located at the the Pulaski Municipal Building upper level, 212 Main Street. The drop slot is located next to the main entrance. 

Please use one of the four payment options available to you. If you have any questions regarding payments call the office at 413-587-1293 and leave a voicemail or email kbissell@northamptonma.gov.  

Treasurer/Collector’s Duties

The Treasurer/Collector manages the city’s cash and is responsible for the deposit, investment, and disbursement of city funds. The Treasurer is authorized to issue debt on behalf of the city upon approval of the city council and prepares for the sale of long-term bonds by working with the city’s financial advisor, bond counsel, and the Mayor and Finance Director. Establishes and maintains an efficient cash management system including maintenance of the city’s cashbook and determines cash flow needs of the city by timing investments to ensure maximum yield for interest and planning when borrowing may need to occur. Is the custodian of all tax title accounts and prepares and maintains tax title deeds, prepares documents with assistance from the city tax title attorney for foreclosures.  

The Treasurer/Collector collects and enforces the collection of all committed taxes, betterments, and other amounts as provided by law. The office certifies the existence of municipal liens and counts and records parking meter receipts. The Office supervises and coordinates the enforcement and processing of parking violations, including the duties set forth in MGL c.90 §20A ½.  

By virtue of the office, the Treasurer/Collector is also the Treasurer of the Northampton Retirement Board and serves as administrator of the Whiting Street Fund and the Trust Fund Committee.  

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Real estate and personal property tax bills are mailed quarterly with due dates of:
August 1st
November 1st 
February 1st
May 1st
Please inform the Assessors’ Office of new ownership or change of address to receive bills in a timely manner.

TAX RATE

For FY2023, Northampton's tax rate is $15.84 per $1,000 of assessed property value. 

Motor Vehicle Taxes

Every motor vehicle and trailer registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are subject to the motor vehicle excise unless expressly exempted. Registering a motor vehicle automatically triggers the assessment of excise, which is calculated at a rate of $25 per $1,000 of value. The Registry of Motor Vehicles is responsible for this valuation. Excise Tax is assessed from the 1st day of the month in which it is registered for the balance of the calendar year and on January 1 of each year thereafter. Vehicles registered during the year are issued a pro-rated excise tax bill for that year. 

All of the information on your motor vehicle tax bill comes from the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to the city. The vehicle owner must contact the insurance company and the Registry to make address and any other ownership changes needed.  Failure to receive a bill does not affect the validity of the tax or penalties.  

New ownership or change of address can be updated at this link with the Registry of Motor Vehicles .

Excise bills are mailed to registered owners once a year in February or after a change in registration. Payments are due 30 days from the date of the issuance of the bill. After 30 days, a demand notice will be mailed adding a $25 demand fee plus accrued interest. If an excise bill remains unpaid for 14 days after the issuance of the demand, a warrant may be issued to a Deputy Collector, which will add collection fees and could end with a mark at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. This mark at the RMV will prevent the registered owner from renewing a driver’s license or registering another vehicle.  

Deputy Collector

If your bill is turned over to the Deputy Collector for collection, payment can only be made directly to the Deputy Collector. The Deputy Collector is Jeffrey & Jeffrey Inc., located at 137 Main St., Ware, MA 01082, 413-967-9941.  For on-line payments go to the Jeffrey & Jeffrey Inc. website. 

See the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax page for information on abatements. Excise Bills FAQ (PDF)

Water & Sewer (Utility) Bills

Water and Sewer bills are mailed out quarterly. Please inform the Department of Public Works: Water Division of a change of address in order to ensure proper, timely receipt of your water and sewer bills.

Permit Denial Form

(Internal use only) City departments should submit a permit denial form to the Treasurer/Collector's Office prior to the issuance of licenses and permits. A review will be made for outstanding tax obligations owed to the City of Northampton. Outstanding amounts must receive confirmation of good standing from the Treasurer/Collector’s Office prior to issuance.

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year begins on July 1st and ends on June 30th.