Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced today that after consulting with Chief Administrative and Finance Officer TJ Plante and Collector/Treasurer Stephen Lonergan, in order to continue to provide any possible relief for residents and businesses during this declared state of emergency, the City of Springfield will adjust the date in which demand fees for Motor Vehicle Excise, Real Estate and Personal Property, and Trash will be issued to July 15.
On April 3, 2020, the City of Springfield announced it was delaying the due date for the collection of certain fees. The due date for the city’s trash fee had been pushed back to May 11, 2020, instead of the original date of April 10, 2020. The City had also delayed the date in which motor vehicle excise demand fees are applied to May 11, 2020. Motor vehicle excise bills were originally due on March 9, 2020.
On April 7, 2020, the City of Springfield announced it was adjusting the collection date for 4th quarter real estate and person property taxes to June 1, 2020, instead of the original due date of May 1, 2020, after Governor Baker and the state Legislature passed legislation making these changes to the state statute.
By adjusting the date in which demand fees are issued for nonpayment of taxes and fees, it will provide our residents and businesses additional relief, if needed, during these challenging times.
Mayor Sarno states, “During these challenging and extraordinary times, my administration is committed to trying to provide any and all relief and assistance possible to our taxpayers while following local and state legal statutes to maintain our city services and operations. For those who are struggling it is our hope that this additional delay in issuing a demand fee for nonpayment of taxes will provide a temporary financial relief if needed.”
CAFO Plante stated, “In order to maintain city services, the city still must be able to collect statutory revenues due. In light of these extraordinary circumstances and at the direction of Mayor Sarno, the city will provide some relief for our residents by delaying the issuing of these fees.”
It is important to note that interest will not be waived and will continue to accumulate starting after the respective due date of the bill. Only the demand notice can be delayed per state statute. Residents are encouraged to continue to conduct their city related business remotely when possible by calling the city’s 311 Call Center at (413) 736-3111 or visiting the city’s website at www.springfield-ma.gov.