Saugus to send out estimated tax bills

SAUGUS – Estimated tax bills are set to go out next week, but applications for abatements or exemptions will not be accepted because the bills are only estimates.Board of Assessors Chairman Frederick J. Wagner announced Tuesday that since the tax bills are not being issued in “the usual manner,” any requested changes must wait.The town has yet to set a tax rate, but since its budget has been balanced, the Department of Revenue gave the town approval to send out estimated bills.Town Manager Andrew Bisignani said he prefers issuing estimated bills because those are due in 30 days. Actual bills wouldn’t be due until May 1.Wagner said the problem is applications for exemptions filed by disabled veterans, surviving spouses or qualified veterans, elderly persons or others won’t be reviewed until the May 1 fourth quarter tax mailings.At that time, Wagner said applicants will be granted 90 days to file if they haven’t already and abatement seekers will be granted 30 days.Wagner said in a written statement that the Board of Assessors would like to give consideration to the qualified applicants, “but they cannot do so until the actual tax bills are mailed for May 1 payment.”Wagner said when the board is in the position to act on requests for abatements and exemptions it would act with expediency and try its best to minimize any inconvenience taxpayers might experience.Bisignani said he understands the wait could be an issue for some people, but there is little that can be done.”They just can’t file for an abatement now because the actual tax rate hasn’t been set,” he said.The rate should be set by the end of the month and Bisignani said the estimated bill would be sent out by Tuesday, Feb. 19. Payment on the estimated bills is due in 30 days.