Guidelines, Opinions, Advisories and FAQs

Informational guideline releases, local finance opinions & bulletins issued in recent calendar years

Displaying 121 - 130 of 180

BUL 2025-03 Tax Title Redemption Amount and Proceeds  

Division of Local Services

Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024 made significant changes to the tax title foreclosure process. § 88 of the Act amended G.L. c. 60, § 62 by reducing the tax title interest rate from 16% to 8%. DLS opined that property already in tax title before November 1, 2024 would continue to accrue interest at a rate of 16%.

BUL 2025-02 FY2026 Budget Issues and Other Related Matters  

Division of Local Services

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 ...

BUL 2024-06 Recent Legislation Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024 Tax Title Reform  

Division of Local Services

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.

BUL 2024-05 FY2024 An Act Honoring, Empowering and Recognizing Our Servicemembers and Veterans (“HERO” Act) Chapter 178 of the Acts 2024  

Division of Local Services

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.

BUL 2024-04 Annual Fiscal Year Waivers to Education Reform Spending Requirements and Minimum Required Local Contributions  

Division of Local Services

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.

BUL 2024-03 G.L. c. 44, § 53 Clause 4: Connect America Fund Phase II (CAF II) Auction Proceeds Received Pursuant to the Westfield Gas And Electric Winning Bid  

Division of Local Services

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.

BUL 2024-02 FY2025 Budget Issues and Other Related Matters  

Division of Local Services

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

BUL 2024-01 G.L. c. 44, § 53 Clause 4: Inflation Reduction Act Monetized Credits for Local Governments for Certain Clean Energy Projects and Proceeds Received Pursuant to the Altria Settlement Regarding JUUL Products  

Division of Local Services

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.

BUL 2023-10 Recent Legislation Amortization of FY2024 Major Disaster Related Deficit  

Division of Local Services

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.

BUL 2023-09 New Cannabis Control Commission Regulations  

Division of Local Services

This Bulletin focuses on recent regulatory changes affecting municipal finance promulgated by the Cannabis Control Commission pursuant to Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2022, An Act Relative to Equity in the Cannabis Industry.