Treasurer / Collector

Responsibilities

The Treasurer/Collector is appointed by the Select Board.

  • The Treasurer/Collector’s Office is responsible for managing municipal finances which includes depositing, investing, and dispersing municipal funds as well as managing banking services and the issuance of debt. The Office also manages personnel files and payroll along with managing employee benefits. The Office performs administrative, supervisory, and technical work in connection with the collection of all taxes due in the town.

    Tax Billing Overview

    Please be aware that by Massachusetts State Law, ALL Tax bills are due on or before the due date listed on the bill. Allow for mailing time, bills are considered paid on the date they are received by the Tax Office – we do not go by Post Mark. By State Law, interest is charged on any and all late payments, even bills that have never been received.

    Please email or call the Collector’s Office to request a copy of the bill.

    Please notify the Assessor’s Office if your mailing address has changed or you are a new property owner. We can update the mailing address for real estate, personal property, and water/sewer bills. The mailing address for motor vehicle excise tax bills must be changed through the Mass Registry of Motor Vehicles.

    Service Fees

    Demand Fee $10 (added ten days after due date)

    Municipal Lien Certificate Fee $25

    Payment Options

    Online – Hinsdale partners with Unipay to offer online payment of real estate, personal property, water/sewer bills, and excise tax bills via the Unipay portal:

    Unipaygold.unibank.com  A new feature offered through Unipay lets account holders set up notifications so they will be informed when new bills become available. Payment history is retained for 2 years if you have set up an account and are logged in when paying.

    Cash - is accepted in person at Town Hall, however change is not available so please bring exact amount. Do Not Mail Cash.

    Check or Bank Check – please make out your check to “Town of Hinsdale.” When writing your check be sure to use only blue or black ink, write clearly, and be sure to sign your check. If you are using your bank’s bill pay feature or not sending your remittance slip with payment, please make sure to reference your bill number, bill year, and type of bill in the memo. If I am unable to identify the bill you are attempting to pay, your payment will be returned.

    Drop box – there is a locked drop box by the back door, around the back parking lot entrance that payments may be left after hours.  Please do not leave Cash.

    Real Estate & Personal Property Tax

    Hinsdale bills are semi-annual – generally due 11/1 and 5/1

    New Owners: Please be aware that the real estate bill will be issued in care of you, however the previous owner’s name will remain on the bill for at least one year as required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 59, Section 11.

    Personal property - an owner of taxable personal property on January 1 must file an annual personal property return, known as the Form of List (State Tax Form 2), with the board of assessors of the city or town in which the property is situated on that date. G.L. c. 59, § 29. An owner of household furnishings and effects at a residential property in Massachusetts that is not the owner’s domicile, such as at a summer or second residence, must file State Tax Form 2HF listing those furnishings and effects. Cellular and mobile wireless telecommunications companies must file State Tax Form 2MT. 

    In the return, the owner must list and describe all taxable personal property situated in the community on the January 1 assessment date. Information that must be provided about the listed property includes the make and year of manufacture, and the purchase price or original cost and year of purchase. The owner does not have to include an estimate of value. If an estimate is provided, it is not binding on the assessors as they determine the fair cash valuation of property for local tax purposes. G.L. c. 59, § 38. The return is signed under oath. The property listing in the return is confidential. It can only be disclosed to the taxpayer, the taxpayer’s designated representative, persons who need to see the information to perform duties in the office of the assessors and the Department of Revenue and anyone else specifically authorized by court order. G.L. c. 59, § 32. 

    Sewer & Water Bill

    Hinsdale bills are semi-annual – generally mailed July and January (due in 30 days)

    A final water meter read can be obtained by emailing: mdoyle@hinsdalema.gov or calling 413-655-0307

    Motor Vehicle Excise Tax

    Motor vehicle excise taxes are billed annually and usually sent out at the beginning of the year. If the bill remains unpaid after the due date, a demand notice is sent. After the demand notice is sent and the bill is still unpaid, we transfer the responsibility of collection to our Deputy Tax Collector – Arthur P. Jones who then sends out a warrant to collect. Once we transfer the responsibility of collection, we can no longer accept payments. The payments must be either be made online through apjones.com or paid at their office at 98 Cottage St Easthampton, MA 01027

 

Staff Contacts

Name Title Phone
Lynne Baumgartner Treasurer / Collector (413) 655-2300 ext. 314