Guidelines, Opinions, Advisories and FAQs

Section 87 of Chapter 14 of the Acts of 2025 affirmed DLS’ interpretation that the recently amended reduction in the tax title interest rate is only applicable for tax titles entered into on or after November 1, 2024 and property already in tax title before November 1, 2024 will continue to accrue interest at a rate of 16%.

On December 4, 2023, Governor Healey signed Chapter 77 of the Acts of 2023, Section 9 of which provides, in part, for an exception to the general rule that all receipts are to be recorded as general fund revenue per G.L. c. 44, § 53. Pursuant to the new Clause 5 of G.L. c. 44, § 53, the Director of Accounts has determined that cities and towns that receive PFAS settlement proceeds may place these proceeds in a dedicated special revenue fund and may expended with appropriation.

This bulletin has information on the following items: budget issues and procedures for fiscal year 2026, recent legislative changes, Coronavirus Relief Fund (CvRF) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) stabilization fund dedication revenue estimating revenue local receipts tax rate recap free cash appropriations enterprise fund retained earnings certification balance sheet revenue recognition chapter 90 betterment reserve FEMA borrowing purposes terms borrowing premiums surplus proceeds debt ...

This Bulletin focuses on the recent legislative changes affecting municipal tax title foreclosures. These changes go into effect November 1, 2024 and all State Tax Forms noted therein will be published and made available on the Division’s website prior to that date.

The Bulletin discusses recent legislative changes affecting municipal finance found in Chapter 178 of the Acts 2024, entitled An Act Honoring, Empowering and Recognizing Our Servicemembers and Veterans (“HERO” Act). These changes provide two new local options that increase certain veteran exemption amounts and changes how to determine eligibility for the motor vehicle exemption for a veteran with a 100% disability rating or is unemployable due to their service-connected disability.

This Bulletin advises local officials that application for waivers from FY2025 Education Reform Spending Requirements and Minimum Required Local Contributions may be submitted until October 1, 2024. The types of waivers available and qualifying criteria for them are explained in Informational Guideline Release (IGR) No. 16-301, Annual Fiscal Year Waivers to Education Reform Spending Requirements and Minimum Required Local Contributions.

On December 4, 2023, Governor Healey signed Chapter 77 of the Acts of 2023, Section 9 of which provides, in part, for an exception to the general rule that all receipts are to be recorded as general fund revenue per G.L. c. 44, § 53.

This bulletin has information on the following items: budget issues and procedures for fiscal year 2025, recent legislative changes, Coronavirus Relief Fund (CvRF) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) stabilization fund dedication revenue estimating revenue local receipts tax rate recap free cash appropriations enterprise fund retained earnings certification balance sheet revenue recognition chapter 90 betterment reserve FEMA borrowing purposes terms borrowing premiums surplus proceeds debt exclusion

On December 4, 2023, Governor Healey signed Chapter 77 of the Acts of 2023, Section 9 of which provides, in part, for an exception to the general rule that all receipts are to be recorded as general fund revenue per G.L. c. 44, § 53.

This Bulletin summarizes Section 205 of Chapter 77 of the Acts of 2023 which authorizes cities and towns to amortize their FY2024 major disaster related deficit over fiscal years 2025 to 2027, inclusive, in equal installments or more rapidly.