Supplemental tax bill: Understanding the basics

by Kristen Costa 11/01/2023

If your property has increased or decreased in assessed value since your last tax payment, you might receive a supplemental tax bill. These are separate tax bills you need to pay in addition to your regular annual bill. If you're interested in learning more about how supplemental tax bills work, here is a short guide to the basics:

Supplemental tax bills may reflect changes to your property

Supplemental tax bills are usually the result of a supplemental assessment of your property's value. Supplemental assessments happen when you complete new construction or major rehabilitation to a home. Supplemental assessments also take place when a property changes ownership.

Supplemental tax bills can have different due dates

Supplemental tax bills are separate from your normal property tax bills. Therefore, they can arrive at any time of year regardless of your annual tax due date. It's important to take care of these payments as soon as possible to prevent issues.

Supplemental tax bills can be negative

Negative supplemental tax bills are the result of a new assessment being lower than the previous. If you receive a negative tax bill, you'll also receive a reimbursement check. The amount of the refund check will depend on the difference between assessments. Conveniently, most municipalities allow you to apply the refund amount to any other outstanding tax bill, potentially saving you thousands.

Are you planning any major construction or updates to your home? If so, you can likely expect a supplemental assessment for the changes. Keep this basic info in mind for a better understanding of your supplemental tax bill.

About the Author
Author

Kristen Costa

I've been listing and selling in Wilmington and surrounding areas since 1987 and have been affiliated with Fudge Properties since 2007. I have a strong reputation for outstanding quality of both work and interpersonal relationships, knowing what needs to be done and how to elicit cooperation for getting it done. I'm also proficient and knowledgeable about the Mass Housing program guidelines, successfully completing numerous housing lotteries for first time home buyers, over 55 buyers and renters. Whether you're buying or selling, I can help you get the best deal. Just looking? That's OK. Use my website all you like, but you'll have to create a free account to unlock all the best search features. Once you sign up, you'll be able to save listings, save your search criteria, get automated email updates for new homes matching your saved search criteria, and more. Good luck on your house hunt! I hope to hear from you soon.