Due dates extended for certain City bills amid state of emergency

New Bedford, Massachusetts– Due to the state of emergency declared citywide and statewide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has provided municipalities with the ability to provide relief to taxpayers by extending deadlines for city bills and taxes.

New Bedford has extended several important deadlines:

  • The due date for exemption and deferral applications for real estate taxes has been extended to June 1, 2020, moved from its original date of April 1, 2020.
  • Interest and late payment penalties for excise tax, assessment, water and sewer rates, or other charges added to a tax for payments due March 10, 2020, or after, will be waived for bills paid late but paid on or before June 30, 2020.
  • New Bedford issued the following bills due after the state of emergency declaration:
    • Motor vehicle excise tax commitments due March 16
    • Motor vehicle excise tax commitments due April 22
    • Real estate taxes (4th Quarter) due May 1
    • Personal property taxes (4th Quarter) due May 1
    • Boat excise tax due May 15
    • Motor vehicle excise tax commitments due June 25 (estimated)

The Commonwealth has also prohibited municipalities from terminating an essential service if inability to pay was due to circumstances related to the outbreak of COVID-19.

City residents are strongly encouraged to pay bills online, by phone, by mail, or a drop-box location. Convenience fees normally charged for the processing of credit and debit cards are being refunded or credited back to the customer accounts during this period. As always, payments made by check or from your savings account are at no cost to the customer.

To pay bills online, visit www.newbedford-ma.gov and select Pay Bills.  To pay by phone, contact the Treasurer’s Office at 508-979-1430.

Residents can use the mailing address printed on their bills or mail their bills to:

City Hall – Treasurer’s Office

133 William Street, Room 103

New Bedford, MA 02740

Residents can also drop off payments without person-to-person interaction by using one of the city’s drop-boxes. These white drop boxes are located at:

  • Corner of Elm and Sixth streets downtown
  • City Hall, 133 William Street (two locations: main entrance and Sixth Street entrance)
  • Department of Public Infrastructure, 1105 Shawmut Avenue

Anyone with questions about paying bills remotely should contact the Treasurer’s Office at 508-979-1430.