I purchased my house on January 10, 2019. I just received a bill due on February 1, 2020 in the name of the previous owner. After a whole year, why isn’t this bill in my name?

The assessment date for ownership is January 1st, which is six months prior to the start of a new fiscal year (FY). In your case, the property was assessed to the owner of record on January 1, 2019. That assessment date applies for all of FY 2020 and the ownership may not be changed until January 1, 2020, which will affect bills issued for FY 2021.

As a courtesy, the Tax Collector has historically sent a copy of the bill to the new owner. Unfortunately, it takes about a month for the Assessors to be notified by the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds of a conveyance. If your deed was sent to the Assessors after the bills were issued, it is likely that you did not receive a copy of the bill currently due. Usually attorneys will remind you of the impending tax bill at the closing of the property, or your mortgage lender will escrow the amount needed for the next payment and take responsibility for making it.

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1. What are property taxes and how is the amount determined?
2. I purchased my house on January 10, 2019. I just received a bill due on February 1, 2020 in the name of the previous owner. After a whole year, why isn’t this bill in my name?
3. How did you determine the value of my home? Why is the assessment more than what I paid for the property?
4. I think my home is assessed for more than it’s worth - what should I do?
5. I am having financial problems. Is there any way I can reduce the taxes I pay on my property?
6. I sold my car a few months ago and paid the excise tax on that car. I bought a new car and received an excise tax bill for my new car. Can’t you apply part of the payment on the new car?