Massachusetts § 15 - Fees of collector
Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 15 — Fees of collector, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 15. Fees of collector
Section 15. The following interest, charges and fees, and no other, when accrued, shall severally be added to the amount of the tax and collected as a part thereof:—
1. For interest, as provided by law;
2. For each written demand provided for by law, not more than $30;
3. For preparing advertisement of sale or taking, $10 for each parcel of real estate included in the advertisement and the necessary legal fees for search of title;
4. For advertisement of sale or taking in newspaper, the cost thereof;
5. For posting notices of sale or taking, $5 for each parcel or real estate included in the notice;
6. For affidavit, $10 for each parcel of land included therein;
7. For recording affidavit, the cost thereof;
8. For preparing deed or instrument of taking, $10;
9. For the issuance and delivery of a warrant to an officer, $10;
10. For notice by mail or other means to the delinquent that warrant to collect has been issued, $12;
11. For exhibiting a warrant to collect or delivering a copy thereof to the delinquent or his representative or leaving it at his last and usual place of abode or of business, and without distraint or arrest, $17.
12. For distraining goods of the delinquent, $10 and the necessary cost thereof;
13. For the custody and safekeeping of the distrained goods of the delinquent, the cost thereof, for a period not exceeding seven days, together with the expense of parking, storage, labor and towing or teaming, and other necessary expenses;
14. For selling goods distrained, the cost thereof;
15. For arresting the body, the necessary costs of the arresting officer and the cost of the travel, at the rate of $.30 per mile, from the office of the collector to the place where the arrest is made;
16. For custody of the body arrested, if payment of the delinquent tax is not made forthwith, $10, and in addition thereto travel at the rate of $.30 per mile from the place of arrest to the jail or, if payment is made before commitment to jail, for the distance from the place where the arrest is made to the place where payment is made;
17. For service of demand and notice under section fifty-three, if served in the manner required by law for the service of subpoenas on witnesses in civil cases, the cost thereof, but not more than $40;
18. For the mailing of each written demand or notice by registered mail, the cost thereof.
19. For the recording of the instrument of taking under section 54, the cost thereof.
The collector shall account to the town treasurer for all interest, charges and fees collected by him; but the town shall reimburse or credit him for all expenses incurred by him hereunder, including all lawful charges and fees paid or credited by him for collecting taxes.
The collector may, in his discretion, waive such interest, charges and fees when the total amount thereof is $15 or less.
Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 15
What does Massachusetts General Laws § 15 cover?
Section 15 ("Fees of collector") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Massachusetts § 15?
A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 15" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
How does Massachusetts § 15 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.