CITY DEPARTMENTS
Last Website Update:
July 18, 2023 7:34 AM
Welcome to the Treasurer Collector's Department
Mission
The purpose of the Treasurer/Collector’s Office is to provide secure and accurate collection of all taxes and committed bills to us by the Assessors. We will persevere in treating all taxpayers with equity and take all necessary steps, allowable by law to collect on all past due accounts. The Collector’s staff is committed to providing our customers with up-to-date information on their accounts in an effective and efficient manner – using guidelines established by the Department of Revenue, the State and local City Ordinances.
We are accountable for receipt and investment of all City Revenue and custodian of all additional funds including stabilization funds, trust funds, tax title and foreclosure accounts. Our goal is to receive the highest possible return with the lowest possible risk.
We coordinate adequate funds to cover current obligations. We administer funds on behalf of the City to insure all City Council requirements, such as payment on bonds, notes, payroll, and warrants are paid in a timely manner. The Treasurer works closely with the CFO in the issuing of both short-term and long-term debt.
In addition, we oversee the City’s payroll, health insurance, life insurance and many other voluntary benefits.
Our goal is to serve our residents and colleagues in a professional and courteous manner.
Current Highlights
• Increased efficiency and the delivery of constituent services through a combined Treasurer/Collector Office.
• Increased collection of outstanding 40U violations by adding the balances to all Municipal Lien Certificates and tax inquiries.
• Improved 1095C reporting accuracy in Munis.
• Diversified bank accounts and vendors to receive higher interest rates in money market accounts.
• Established stabilization accounts with MMDT.
• Resized bonds and improved debt schedules.
Future Goals
• Create and update the City’s investment and health insurance policies.
• Implement the Treasury Management Module to support more timely reconciliation of bank statements.
• Increase collection of delinquent taxes and fees.
• Develop social media presence to provide due date reminders and MA tax facts to a wide audience.
• Research methods of providing tax bills in multiple languages.
Conclusion
The Treasurer/Collector’s office will make a great effort to continue to provide various, secure ways for customers to make a payment. Whether in person, by mail, over the phone, or online, our goal is to ensure everyone has an equitable opportunity to make timely payments on all bills. We will continue to prudently invest all City funds in order to maximize yields while maintaining adequate liquidity and ensuring compliance with Massachusetts General Laws, City of Lynn ordinances, and any other applicable financial mandates.
Our Contact and Office Information
PLEASE NOTE: Attorney Offices, Banks, Title Companies, CoreLogic, Wells Fargo, Lereta, and All other Mortgage/Loan Servicing Agents (We do not give verbal tax information)
You MUST Send An Email: taxinfo@lynnma.gov or Fax Request: (781) 477-7076
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About Our Office |
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Treasurer/Collector |
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Contact
Phone
Office Fax
Email |
Elyse Fannon
(781) 586-6908
(781) 477-0953
efannon@lynnma.gov
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Assistant Collector |
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Contact
Phone
Email |
Christina Paradise
(781) 598-4000 x 6749
cparadise@lynnma.gov |
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Head Clerk |
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Contact
Phone
Email |
Maria Ryan
(781) 598-4000 x 6746
mryan@lynnma.gov |
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Principal Clerks |
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Contact
Phone
Email |
Francisco Aviles
(781) 598-4000 x 6743
faviles@lynnma.gov |
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Contact
Phone
Email |
Magaly Cruz
(781) 598-4000 x 6747
mcruz@lynnma.gov |
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Assistant Treasurer |
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Contact
Phone
Email |
Lynne Quinn
(781) 598-4000 x.6904
lquinn@lynnma.gov |
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Coordinator of Payroll |
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Contact
Phone
Email |
Dorothy LeBlanc
(781) 598-4000 x.6905
dleblanc@lynnma.gov |
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Payroll Supervisor |
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Contact
Phone
Email |
Cindy Feliz-Gonzalez
(781) 598-4000 x.6902
cfeliz@lynnma.gov |
Bills and Taxes Information
FY24 First Quarter (Preliminary) Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills have been mailed out and payment is due on Tuesday, August 1st 2023.
FY24 Second Quarter (Preliminary) Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills will be mailed around October 1st, 2023 and will be due by November 1st, 2023.
Online Bill Payment Options
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The City of Lynn is happy to offer residents an easy and secure service to view, print and pay your bills. |
For Real Estate, Personal Property, Current Excise Tax and Solid Waste Bills Only: Please proceed to City Hall Systems using the link below.
Service Fees
Online and Electronic Check Options
Online payments will incur a service fee. The City of Lynn receives only your payment amount. Service fees cover various administrative costs associated with accepting payments and are non-refundable.
- A fee of 2.95% (minimum of $1.00) will be applied to all credit card transactions
- A fee of $0.50 will be charged for payments made via electronic check (ACH/EFT)
The service fee amount is automatically calculated and is shown on the payment page before you submit your payment for processing. Service fees will appear as a separate charge from the bill amount on your credit card or bank statement.
Pay-By-Phone Option
The service fees for pay-by phone are the same as indicated above for paying online.
If you wish to use the pay-by-phone service, please call toll-free: (508) 381-5455
Live Operators will be available to take payments by phone from 8:30 AM until 5 PM, Monday through Friday.
Assistance or Questions
If you need help using online bill pay or you have a question about your account,please call City Hall Systems at (508) 381-5455.
If there is an error in the Credit Card charge, please contact City Hall Systems at (508) 381-5455.
Municipal Lien Certificates
If you wish to obtain a Municipal Lien Certificate (MLC), Please Click Here.
| Cost and Processing Time |
|
Residential Homes and Condominiums
will be charged |
$75
per parcel |
Industrial and Commercial Properties
will be charged |
$125
per parcel |
| Allow ten (10) business days for processing |
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Municipal lien certificates reflect the total balance; for a breakdown please proceed to our online billing section to view the tax bills, fax a breakdown request to
(781) 477-7076, or email a breakdown request to the following people:
Frequently Asked Questions: Real Estate
When are real estate tax bills mailed and payments due?
Tax bills are mailed four times a year and due on:
August 1st, November 1st, February 1st, and May 1st
*The bills are sent thirty (30) days prior to these due dates.
Where should I mail my real estate tax payment?
Lynn City Hall
Collector of Taxes
Room 206
3 City Hall Square
Lynn, MA 01901 |
Please make checks payable to: City of Lynn.
For proper crediting, write the parcel number on the check and enclose the top portion of your tax bill.
To obtain a receipt, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and both portions of the bill with the payment. |
Online payments are now available through the City of Lynn’s website as well as over the phone. (To get more information on doing so please see the payment tab on the top left.)
What is a fiscal year?
The fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th.
What are the fiscal year tax rates?
| YEAR |
RESIDENTIAL |
COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL |
| 2023 |
$11.15 |
$21.35 |
| 2022 |
$12.43 |
$23.70 |
| 2021 |
$13.03 |
$25.02 |
| 2020 |
$13.40 |
$25.87 |
| 2019 |
$41.30 |
$27.61 |
| 2018 |
$15.15 |
$29.45 |
| 2017 |
$15.60 |
$30.67 |
2016 |
$16.18 |
$32.06 |
2015 |
$16.75 |
$33.58 |
2014 |
$17.13 |
$34.81 |
2013 |
$16.93 |
$34.55 |
2012 |
$16.28 |
$32.82 |
2011 |
$16.22 |
$32.41 |
2010 |
$15.53 |
$31.05 |
These rates are set in December for each year.
What happens if I do not pay my tax bill?
Tax payments must be received on or before the due date to avoid interest charges. If payment is not made within 30 days of the original date of mailing, the account will begin to accrue interest at the rate of 14% computed from the date the bill was due. A demand fee will be added at the end of the fiscal year for $30.
*Please note that the demand notices are only sent after the 4th quarter bills were due.
If the account remains delinquent after June 30th of the fiscal year, a tax lien (a legal claim placed on property for debt) is placed on the property and is recorded with the Essex County Registry of Deeds In addition, the property is placed in the tax title system. A tax lien is the first step in the foreclosure process. All taxes, costs and interest must be paid to prevent foreclosure (see Treasurer’s Office page for more information).
Why should I pay interest on a late payment when I never received my tax bill?
Under state law, failure to receive a bill does not affect the validity of the tax or any interest or fines incurred due to late payment(s). It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to secure his/her tax bill when one is not received.
Who is responsible for the taxes if a property is sold after January 1st?
Although the tax bill will bear the name of the assessed owner as of January 1st, the new owner is responsible for all taxes once the sale of the property is finalized. The amount of tax owed by the old owner is determined at the time of closing and is typically deducted from the selling price. Once this deduction is made, the new owner must pay all bills, as they become due in order to avoid interest, demand fees or foreclosure. The lawyers assisting each party should already have investigated any outstanding taxes and obtained a Municipal Lien Certificate. Once the agreement is made, the new owner is obligated to pay any outstanding taxes due on the property.
What should I do if I recently sold my property, but I am still receiving a tax bill?
If you receive a bill, please forward it to the new owner immediately as it is his/her responsibility to make payment.
What is a parcel number?
The parcel number is the identifying number of each individual property.
For example 001-001-001 would be a parcel number.
What happens if the check I mailed "bounces"?
If your check is returned due to insufficient funds, absence of signature, or technical error, we will send you a notice giving him/her four (4) days to come in with cash or a money order. If the bill is not taken care of within the four (4) days the payment will be withdrawn from your account and it will have the same status as an ‘unpaid’ account. At this time a $25 bad check fee will be added to your account.
What happens when you find out that you overpaid?
If you or your mortgage company have paid the bill and for some reason the bill is overpaid and you would like to request a refund please submit proof of payment to our office.
Proof of Payment Requirements:
Any request for an adjustment in payment, such as a transfer of funds or a refund, must meet the following requirements:
- Request must be in writing
- Photocopies of the front and back of the canceled check(s) applied to the account or original receipts of all payments applied to the account (or any combination of the two) must be submitted
- For payments made by money order, a photocopy of the original money order, not the “non-negotiable consumer’s copy:’ are required
On receipt of the written request and submission of complete documentation, our staff examines the information verifying such with our records and we will notify the taxpayer of our findings; refunds are mailed at the beginning of the next month.
Frequently Asked Questions: Excise Tax
What is motor vehicle excise?
Chapter 60A of Mass. General Laws imposes an excise on the privilege of registering a motor vehicle or a trailer in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. The excise is levied annually on lieu of a tangible personal property tax. Non-registered vehicles, however, remain subject to the taxation as personal property. The excise is levied by the city or town where the vehicle is principally garaged and the revenues become part of the local community treasury.
The Registry of Motor Vehicles prepares the data for excise bills according to the information on the motor vehicle registration and sends it to the city or town assessors. Cities and towns then prepare bills based on excise date sent by the Registry in conformity with Registry requirements.
Who collects the motor vehicle excise?
The City of Lynn’s tax collectors are responsible for collecting the original motor vehicle and trailer excise as well as the demand notice. All bills issued after the demand are collected by the deputy collectors office. There are no special considerations for financial hardship.
When is motor vehicle excise payment due?
Payment of motor vehicle excise is due within 30 days from the date the excise bill is issued.
NOTE: A person who does not receive a bill is still liable for the excise plus any interest charges accrued. Therefore, it is important to keep the Registry and the post office informed of a current name and address so that excise bills can be delivered promptly. All owners of motor vehicles must pay an excise tax; therefore it is the responsibility of the owner to contact this office if you have not received a bill.
What happens if my payment is late?
Due to the recent changes in our office we no longer take outstanding excise tax payments at the Collector office in City Hall.
This includes: Warrant notices (yellow bills), Final Warrant notices (green bills), and any bills Flagged at the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
To make payments on these bills you will have to contact the Deputy Collectors Office:
Hours | Monday-Friday - 9AM - 5PM
Located At | 34 Salem Street Reading MA
Mailing Address | PO Box 397 Reading, MA 01867
Customer Service | (781) 944-8504
Pay online: https://paybills.deputycollector.com/
Fees:
If an excise is not paid within 30 days from the date of issue, a demand will be sent. The charge for the demand is $30. Interest accrues on the overdue bill from the day after the due date until the date of payment at an annual rate of 12 percent.
If the demand is not answered within 14 days, a warrant will be issued by the deputy collector. The taxpayer is then additionally liable for a warrant fee of $13. The warrant notice sent by the deputy collector costs $12.
If this notice is not answered than a final warrant, a service warrant, will be delivered or exhibited to the taxpayer at his/her residence at a fee of $17.00. All bills should clearly state the interest and penalty charges.
How does non-payment of motor vehicle excise affect license and registration?
If the service warrant demanding final payment is ignored, the deputy collector may then notify the Registry of Motor Vehicles of such non-payment, including all accrued interest and penalty fees. The Registrar may then mark the individual’s registration preventing the renewal of the motor vehicle registration and the owner’s driver’s license until such time as the Registry is notified that full and final payment has been made to the deputy collector. This payment shall include a $20 release fee as final settlement of the delinquent excise. At this time all delinquent bills must be paid, whether they are marked at the registry or not, by cash or money order. Once the bill(s) has been paid the owner will receive a receipt and an electronic release will be sent to the Registry clearing the hold.
What if I no longer own the vehicle?
Please view the Assessors page for information on abatements.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
What are personal property taxes?
All personal property situated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and personal property belonging to the inhabitants of the Commonwealth wherever situated, is subject to taxation unless expressly exempted by law.
What property is taxable?
Tangible (that is, physical) property is subject to the personal property tax unless exempted by statute. Items defined as tangible personal property range from the chairs in a barbershop to the furnishings of a doctor’s waiting room; from the drills used by a dentist to the poles owned by a utility.
What property is exempt?
Please contact the Assessor’s Office.
When is Personal Property billed?
Personal Property is on the same billing schedule as Real Estate.
Where can I find Senior Citizen abatement information?
Visit the Assessor's webpage for the latest information and forms.
Acrobat (PDF) Software
Free Adobe Acrobat Software is required to view our PDF files. You can download the free software using the link below.
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