Massachusetts

Massachusetts Residents Rush to Prepay Property Taxes Ahead of Newly Signed Tax Bill

Massachusetts officials say they are seeing a rush of residents trying to pay their property taxes ahead of the changes included in the federal tax bill passed by Congress this week.

The Boston Globe reports some towns are getting up to 50 calls a day, and one person left a $30,000 check to beat the rules that cap state and local tax deductions at $10,000.

The state's property tax bills are based on a fiscal year from July to June. While most homeowners can prepay the last part of their taxes in December, Wellesley residents can prepay what they may owe through December 2018.

Ayer Treasurer Susan Copeland said people hope paying ahead works in their favor.

"We’ve had about a dozen people who have called and want to come in and make payments before the end of the year," she said.

NBC Boston called 20 cities and towns in Massachusetts and places like Weston, Milton, Canton, Newton and Needham said they have has usually long lines and a high volume of calls.

Geoff Beckwith, executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, says most residents shouldn't prepay as their state and local tax bill will fall below $10,000.

Some people have also been asking about paying their state income tax ahead of time, but the law says you can only pay what you owe — so paying ahead to 2018 is unlikely.

e’ve had about a dozen people who have called and want to come in and make payments before the end of the year.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
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