Show All Answers

1. How Can I Pay My Taxes?

You can pay your tax bill multiple different ways in Town.

1. In person between the hours of 8:30AM - 4PM

2. By mail. 

3. You can drop it in the green mailbox outside of Town Hall.

4. You can have your mortgage company pay it. 

5. Online

2. What is the Budget of Town?

The Town has a total budget of almost $154,000,000. Currently the Town is $16,000,000 under proposition 2 1/2. For more information on how every dollar is spent you can refer to the full budget document here!

M.G.L. Chapter 63

3. What are Billerica's Demographics?

Population estimates, July 1, 2018, (V2018)	43,784
Population estimates base, April 1, 2010, (V2018)	40,225
Population, percent change - April 1, 2010 (estimates base) to July 1, 2018, (V2018)	8.8%
Population, Census, April 1, 2010	40,243
Persons under 5 years, percent	 5.3%
Persons under 18 years, percent	 19.6%
Persons 65 years and over, percent	 14.8%
Female persons, percent	 48.9%
White alone, percent	 86.6%
Black or African American alone, percent(a)	 3.4%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a)	 0.0%
Asian alone, percent(a)	 6.2%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent(a)	 0.0%
Two or More Races, percent	 1.8%
Hispanic or Latino, percent(b)	 4.3%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent	 84.6%
Veterans, 2013-2017	2,622
Foreign born persons, percent, 2013-2017	11.0%
Housing units, July 1, 2018, (V2018)	X
Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2013-2017	80.9%
Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2013-2017	$371,500
Median selected monthly owner costs -with a mortgage, 2013-2017	$2,178
Median selected monthly owner costs -without a mortgage, 2013-2017	$721
Median gross rent, 2013-2017	$1,340
Building permits, 2018	X
Households, 2013-2017	14,474
Persons per household, 2013-2017	2.86
Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 2013-2017	90.7%
Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2013-2017	13.5%
Households with a computer, percent, 2013-2017	94.4%
Households with a broadband Internet subscription, percent, 2013-2017	90.5%
High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2013-2017	92.6%
Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2013-2017	33.7%
With a disability, under age 65 years, percent, 2013-2017	5.8%
Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years, percent	 2.9%
In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2013-2017	70.4%
In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2013-2017	67.5%
Total accommodation and food services sales, 2012 ($1,000)(c)	61,354
Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2012 ($1,000)(c)	79,208
Total manufacturers shipments, 2012 ($1,000)(c)	1,316,222
Total merchant wholesaler sales, 2012 ($1,000)(c)	850,256
Total retail sales, 2012 ($1,000)(c)	652,033
Total retail sales per capita, 2012(c)

4. I want to sign up for a Recreation Program!

Check out the Recreation website for their guides and ways to sign up!

Business Personal Property Form of List

5. I need a library card!

A library card is available to all Billerica residents and property owners, as well as those employed in town. Print and fill out our patron Registration Form below and bring it to the Billerica Public Library with a photo ID and proof of residence (preferably a Driver’s license. New residents can bring a lease, utility bill, etc.)  

6. I want to join the Senior Center!

Stop by or call the Senior Center at 978-671-0916 and make an appointment for a tour of the facility. If you register you will be issued a card. Tours of the senior center are available during the hours of 8:30 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. 

You must be 60 years old to participate at the senior center. We offer a few programs for those 50 or older such as Chronic Disease Health Classes, Caregiver Support Groups, and Wisdom Works, a job search services training class.

7. Can I get an extension of the filing deadline?

The Board of Assessors may extend the filing deadline if you can show a sufficient reason for not filing on time. The latest date the filing deadline can be extended is 30 days after the tax bills are mailed for the fiscal year. Requests for an extension must be made in writing to the assessors.

8. What is the penalty for failure to file or filing late?

There is a penalty for failing to file the Form of List pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 59, Section 64. If you do not file a Form of List for the fiscal year, the assessors cannot grant an abatement. If you show a reasonable excuse for filing late, the tax assessed cannot be reduced lower than 150% of the amount that would have been assessed if the list had been timely filed. In that case, only the amount over that percentage can be abated. You can avoid this penalty by filing on time.

M.G.L. Chapter 59

9. What is the return used for and who has access to it?

The information in the Form of List is used by the Board of Assessors to determine the taxable or exempt status of your personal property and, if taxable, its fair market value. You may also be required to provide the assessors with further information about the property in writing and asked to permit them to inspect it. Forms of List are not available to the public for inspection under the public records law. They are available only to the Board of Assessors and Mass. Dept. of Revenue for purposes of administering the tax laws.

10. Who is eligible for an abatement?

Anyone who feels that their personal property is overvalued or exempt may file for an abatement. You must file an abatement form at the Assessor's Office between January 1 and February 1 of the current tax year. Only the current tax year is eligible for abatement or exemption. Please visit the Assessor's Documents Page to download the necessary form - Abatement Application State Form 128

11. What property is exempt?

Tools employed by a plumber, carpenter, auto mechanic and other trade professionals are exempt from the personal property tax. In legal terms, this exemption covers "tools of trade" of a "mechanic" (e.g., small tools that can fit in a tool box). Boats, fishing gear and nets - up to $10,000 in value - owned and used in a commercial fishing business are exempt. Tools of other professionals not listed are considered taxable. These include dentist's drills and x-ray machines. Computers are also subject to the personal property tax, but in cases where they are utilized by a corporation for internal purposes only (e.g. for such functions as internal accounting or administrative operations), computers are not subject to taxation. Tangible personal property subject to some other type of local tax is also exempt from the personal property tax. Motor vehicle and trailer excise, ship and boat excise, the farm animal and equipment excise, and mobile home park license fees are all included in this category. Intangible personal property is exempt from the personal property tax. Intangible property includes stocks, bonds and cash, mortgages and other evidence of ownership of property rights.

For Individuals, Sole Proprietors, Partnerships, Associations, Trusts, Limited Liability Companies filing as Partnerships, and Out-of-State Insurance Companies not having a reciprocal exemption agreement with Massachusetts:
Individuals are entitled to an exemption for (1) household furniture and effects at the place of their domicile, (2) farm utensils and (3) tools of a mechanic's trade.
Tangible personal property that is taxable includes: Poles, underground conduits, wires, pipes, machinery, tools & equipment, business furniture and fixtures, merchandise, unregistered motor vehicles and trailers, animals, and forest products.

For Massachusetts Business and Out-of-State Business Corporations, Limited Liability Companies (filing federally as corporations) and Mutual Insurance Holding Companies:
Tangible personal property that is taxable includes poles, underground conduits, wires, and pipes. All ‘machinery used in the conduct of business" is taxable except machines that are: (1) stock in trade, (2) used directly in dry cleaning or laundering processes, to refrigerate goods or to air condition premises, or (3) used directly in purchasing, selling, accounting or administrative functions.

For Massachusetts and Out-of-State Manufacturing Corporations and Limited Liability Companies (filing federally as corporations which have been classified as "manufacturing" by the Department of Revenue):
Tangible personal property that is taxable includes poles, underground conduits, wires, and pipes. All tangible personal property used in the manufacture or generation of electricity except property that (1) is a cogeneration facility of 30 megawatts or less in capacity, or (2) was exempt because of a manufacturing classification effective on or before January 1, 1996.

For All Other Massachusetts Corporations subject to taxation under M.G.L. Chapter 63 including: Financial Institutions, Insurance Companies, Savings and Cooperative Banks, Utility Corporations, Out-of-State Public Service Corporations subject to taxation under M.G.L. Chapter 63, Section 58 and Out-of-State Insurance Companies if the state of incorporation exempts similar tangible personal property of Massachusetts insurance companies:
Tangible personal property that is taxable includes poles, underground conduits, wires, pipes and machinery used in the manufacture, or in supplying, or distributing water.

• Change your address on your Personal Property tax Bill. Fill out Change of Address Business Personal Property form and send to the Assessor’s office.


• Religious and Charitable Organizations Taxpayers Guide to Local Property Tax Exemptions


• Literary, temperance, benevolent, charitable or scientific organizations that may be entitled to an exemption must file State Tax Form 3 ABC listing all property they own or hold for those purposes on January 1. State Tax Form 3ABC