Tax Collections

The Collector’s/Parking Clerks Office is responsible for billing and collecting real estate, personal property, motor vehicle, water and sewer, parking tickets, water and sewer betterment fees, and other departmental billings. We also issue Municipal Lien certificates.

The City hired Kelley & Ryan Associates of Hopedale, Ma. Deputy Collector’s for the City in 2001. Since that time they have collected thousands of dollars of overdue excise taxes. Delinquent motor vehicle bills issued on behalf of the City of Pittsfield by Kelly & Ryan Associates can be paid at the Collector's office.

The City also participates in the Registry of Motor Vehicles license and registration renewal and marking program. Pittsfield’s ability to mark licenses and registration for nonrenewable because of unpaid motor vehicle excise taxes and parking tickets has proven to be another very effective collection tool.

 On-Line Tax Payments

You can now pay your Motor Vehicle, Real Estate, Personal Property and Water/Sewer tax bills online!!
You have 30 days from the date of issue on your bill to utilize the City’s online payment system.
There is a small fee to pay directly from your checking account.
Please note that a convenience fee will be charged for credit card payments.
Have your tax bill and checkbook or credit card ready.

 Real Estate Tax Information

Scheduled Mailing Dates for Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes

The City of Pittsfield’s Fiscal Year starts on July 1st of each year and ends on June 30th. If you are a homeowner or business owner and do not have a bill, please call the office for the amount due. You are still responsible for the taxes even if you do not receive the bill.

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax

The motor vehicle excise is a tax on the privilege of registering a motor vehicle or trailer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The information for the billing originates at the Registry of Motor Vehicles and is levied by the town in which the vehicle is principally garaged. The state rate is $25.00 per $1,000 of value. Valuations are determined by a statutory formula based solely on the manufacturer’s list price and year of manufacturer.

Bills are due and payable within 30 days of the date of issue. According the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 60A Section 2, “Failure to receive notice shall not affect the validity of the excise.” A person who does not receive a bill is still liable for the excise plus any interest or charges, which have accrued to the account. Unpaid bills accrue interest at the rate of 12% annually starting on the 31st day. A demand, a second request for payment issued after the 31st day, adding a fee of $15.00 plus interest to the bill. The demand bill must be paid within fourteen days. After the 15th day, a warrant is issued by our Deputy Collector Kelley & Ryan & Associates and another $22.00 is added to the bill. Payment of a warrant must be paid within 30 days. After this time Deputy Collector may serve a warrant at the last known address, adding another $17.00 to these attempts to collect, the Registry of Motor Vehicles is notified, and the owner’s license and/or registration is marked for non-renewal. The nonrenewable process adds an additional $20.00 to the process.

Parking Tickets

The City of Pittsfield has two full-time parking enforcement officers. Parking tickets can be paid at the Tax Collector’s Office. Per Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, section 20-A, all tickets must be paid within 21 days. A $5.00 late fee is added on the 22nd day. If you ticket remains unpaid, your license and/or registration may be marked for nonrenewable with the Registry of Motor Vehicles and an additional $5.00 fee for costs and $20.00 for the Registry of Motor Vehicles will be added to each unpaid ticket.

If you believe you have been unfairly issued a parking ticket, you may appeal the ticket in writing. The appeal form is located under the Maintenance Department Parking section of this website. This appeal must be received within the original 21 days of the issuance of this ticket. If you do not wish to download the form, you may send a letter with your name, address, registration number, parking ticket number and the violation number to the Parking Hearing Officer.

If your ticket appeal warrants a Hearing, you will receive notice of the date, time and place for your Hearing. You must appear for your hearing. We do not reschedule hearings. The Hearings Officer decision is final.

Remember do not ignore a Parking Ticket. Tickets must be paid with the 21 days to avoid the late fees.

Water/Sewer Bills

Water and Sewer bills are billed quarterly by the City of Pittsfield. Bills are due within thirty days of the date of issue. An 8 percent penalty is assessed on the whole bill on the 31st day. Any unpaid bills are subject to become a water lien on the real estate taxes. 

2010 Real Estate Legal Ad

 STAFF

Tax Collector / Parking Clerk:
Marilyn W. Sheehan, CMMC

Assistant Tax Collector:
Susan A. Meckes, CMMAC

Principal Clerk Cashier:
Loryna Lee Siok

Principal Clerk Cashier:
Aimee Gregory