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Suffolk County at a glance
Population: 768,425 (Census estimate, 2023) — the 4th largest of 14 Massachusetts counties and county equivalents.
Typical tax bill: $4,341 a year (median for owner-occupied homes, ACS 2022 5-year estimate) — the Massachusetts median is $5,584.
Land area: 58.3 sq mi, about 13,191.2 people per sq mi.
What would the tax be on a house I buy here?
On a $400,000 purchase in Suffolk County, MA, property tax comes to about $2,500 a year — roughly $208 a month — at this county's effective rate of 0.63%.
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Effective rate 0.63% = this county's median owner-occupied tax bill ($4,341, ACS 2022 5-year estimate) divided by the typical home value at the time ($694,222, Zillow, 2022-12-31). Exemptions the seller holds — homestead, senior, veteran — usually do not transfer with the deed, so a new purchase can run above this figure. The county assessor sets the assessed value; this is an estimate, not a quote.
If you pay late
Interest is added from the day after the due date at 14% a year, plus a $5 demand charge and a $12 warrant charge.
Fiscal year July 1 to June 30 with quarterly bills issued July 1, October 1, January 1 and April 1; Boston collects for Suffolk County. If a due date lands on a weekend or public holiday, most counties move it to the next business day — check the county's own notice before relying on the shift.
How to pay
Online: through www.boston.gov — the only portal this county operates.
By post: mail a cheque to the treasurer's office; the postmark date usually counts, not the arrival date.
In person: the treasurer's office during business hours; bring your bill or parcel number.
Mortgage escrow: if your taxes are escrowed, the servicer pays — you still owe the difference if your escrow is short.
Common questions
When are property taxes due in Suffolk County, MA?
2nd quarter bill: November 2, 2026. 3rd quarter bill: February 1, 2027. 4th quarter bill: May 1, 2027.
What happens if I pay late in Suffolk County?
Interest is added from the day after the due date at 14% a year, plus a $5 demand charge and a $12 warrant charge.
How do I pay Suffolk County property tax?
Pay online through www.boston.gov, the county's own payment portal, or by post or in person at the treasurer's office.
Is the Suffolk County deadline the same every year?
Fiscal year July 1 to June 30 with quarterly bills issued July 1, October 1, January 1 and April 1; Boston collects for Suffolk County. Counties shift dates when billing is delayed, so confirm against the county source linked on this page.
How much is property tax on a $400,000 house in Suffolk County, MA?
About $2,500 a year, or $208 a month, at this county's effective rate of 0.63%. That rate is the county's median owner-occupied tax bill ($4,341) divided by the typical home value ($694,222). A seller's homestead or senior exemption usually does not transfer, so a new purchase can cost more.
What if I can't pay in full?
Most counties offer instalment plans or partial payment — ask the treasurer before the due date, not after. Once the bill is delinquent the options shrink and the fees start.
Does a late payment affect my mortgage?
Unpaid property tax is a lien on the property in most states, which your servicer may pay and then bill you for, with fees. It does not disappear.
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CountyTaxDates is an independent reference and is not a government agency. Deadlines change and exceptions apply — always confirm with your county treasurer using the official link on this page. Nothing here is tax, legal or financial advice.