A refund check is issued to a taxpayer who has a credit balance on their account, provided that the taxpayer supplies the City with the proper documentation confirming payment, and provided there are no other outstanding taxes or water bills due and payable to the City from any other year or on other property owned by the taxpayer. It is important to provide check copies, both front and back, to ensure that payments made to your account were made by you, or made by your bank or mortgage company on your behalf. Due to the large volume of mistakes made by mortgage companies and banks applying payments to the wrong accounts, City policy requires check copy review to ensure refunds (or transfers) are issued to the party that made payment. (download transfer authorization form)

It is City policy not to issue refund checks for current Fiscal Year credit balances because all tax bills for the current Fiscal Year have not yet been issued. If you made an overpayment on one quarter, the overpayment will be credited towards the next quarter's bill. Credit balances do not automatically move from one Fiscal Year to the next. The Fiscal Year Begins on July 1st and ends on June 30th. Please note that it is faster and more efficient for the Treasury Department to transfer a credit balance from a prior Fiscal Year to the current Fiscal Year, or from a prior Fiscal Year to a Water or Tax Title account, than it is to produce a refund check.

• If the credit was caused by an overpayment:
  A written request for a refund must be accompanied by copies of canceled checks, both front and back, for the fiscal year(s) in which the credit(s) exist. If your taxes are paid by a mortgage company or bank, obtain a copy of their canceled check(s) along with the disbursement sheets that accompany the check(s). If you paid by cash, receipt copies must be provided.
  
  If the property has recently been purchased or refinanced, please also include a copy of the HUD Settlement Statement, which lists the details of the taxes paid at the closing.
  
  Your letter of request must include your name, the property address, the real estate account number and your signature. Please also provide a current mailing address and telephone number. Forward your letter of request and all check copies (front and back), disbursement sheets if applicable, and/or cash payment receipt(s) copies to: Somerville City Hall, Treasury Refunds, 93 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143.
• If the credit was caused by an abatement:
  The refund will automatically be issued unless the property has changed hands during the fiscal year. The refund will usually be returned to the record owner. If the property has been sold during the fiscal year to a new owner, the date of transfer (the date of the deed) and the information on the HUD Settlement Statement will determine who is eligible for the refund.

Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes

A refund check is only issued if there is a credit balance due to an abatement after the bill has been paid in full. In order to receive an abatement the taxpayer will need to file the necessary documentation with the Board of Assessors. To find out if you are entitled to an abatement and what documentation is necessary, please contact the Board of Assessor's Office at: 617-625-6600 x-3100.

Water Bills

In most cases, a credit balance will not result in a refund for a water account. A credit balance will be applied towards the next quarter water bill. However, when someone sells their property or if the credit amount will not be used up within the next two quarters, the property owner may request a water credit refund. Please contact the Water Department at 617-625-6600 x-5850.

Tax Collection Office General Information


Refund questions, E-mail: treasurysomervillema [dot] gov. Provide the account number and property location in the subject line.

Fax: 617-666-9682. Faxes will be responded to by either return fax, or mail, providing you supply appropriate return address and/or fax number information. Please make sure you provide your account number, and property address and your questions(s).

Telephone: 617-625-6600 x-3500. Please understand this can often be the least efficient way to resolve your questions given the volume of calls received and the limited staff available to answer phone calls.

Office Hours: Monday through Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday 8:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M., and
Friday 8:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.