Property Tax Bills
Questions?
See our "Paying Your Calais Property Tax Bill" document. It provides the answers to some of our most frequent questions.
Due Dates
2024 property tax bills will be mailed on August 9. The first due date September 15, 2024, and the second is November 15, 2024.
Payment Plans
There is no grace period for property tax payments. You may at any time before the due date contact the Town Office to design a payment plan to spread out your tax payment over smaller installments earlier in the tax year. Once taxes are overdue, you will need to work with the Delinquent Tax Collector, who can be reached at delinquenttaxes@calaisvermont.gov
Payment Methods
TAX PAYMENTS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED BY CHECK, MONEY ORDER, OR CREDIT CARD. The credit card link is on the homepage of this website on the left hand menu, or you can click here for the Online Payment Portal.If you choose to pay with a credit card, the following processing fees apply:
- Visa/Mastercard/Discover: Under $50.00 fee $1.30. Over $50.00 fee is 2.60%.
- American Express: Under $50.00 fee $1.50. Over $50.00 fee is 3.00%.
Checks may be dropped off in person, mailed, or deposited in the secure dropbox in the vestibule of the Town Office.
Property Transactions
If you buy or sell a Calais property between the closing of the Grand List in April and the due date of the second tax payment, you will need to make arrangements for the tax payments during your closing, as the tax bills will be mailed to the property owner as of April 1.
Delinquent Taxes - Penalty and Interest
Taxpayers who do not pay their full property tax amount by the November due date will be contacted by the Delinquent Tax Collector.
A penalty is a one-time assessment expressed as a percentage of the original amount of a tax delinquency. At Town Meeting on March 5, 2024, Calais voters set the delinquent tax penalty rate at 8%.
After each tax installment due date, and again on the first day of each month thereafter, interest on the outstanding tax balance is assessed at the monthly rate determined by the voters. At Town Meeting on March 5, 2024, Calais voters set the delinquent tax interest rate at one half of one percent (0.5%) per month or any part of a month.
If you are unable to pay your property taxes, you may be eligible to apply to the Calais Board of Abatement for a one-time abatement of part or all of your delinquent taxes, fees, and interest. See the Board of Abatement page for more information.
Please direct questions concerning your tax bill to Kari Bradley, Treasurer, at treasurer@calaisvermont.gov.