The Town of Dedham operates on a fiscal year that starts on July 1 and ends on June 30 each year. We use a quarterly tax billing system, meaning we mail tax bills four times per year:

• First quarter: July 1  (Preliminary Tax Bill)
• Second quarter: October 1  (Preliminary Tax Bill)
• Third quarter: January 1  (Actual Tax Bill)
• Fourth quarter: April 1  (Actual Tax Bill)

Therefore, be on the lookout for your 1^st QUARTER tax bill for Fiscal Year 2026 which are being mailed on June 30, 2025. We send tax bills 30 days before their due date. Your quarterly tax bills are DUE on these dates:

• First quarter bills: August 1
• Second quarter bills: November 1
• Third quarter bills: February 1
• Fourth quarter bills: May 1

Please be advised: If the first of the month falls on a weekend, your bill is due on the following Monday.

What does “preliminary tax” mean?

The preliminary tax is based on the prior year’s adjusted net tax on the property plus the 2.5 percent tax increase allowed under Proposition 2 ½ (and any tax increase attributable to approved overrides or exclusions, if any). The preliminary tax is payable in two equal installments; due on August 1^st and November 1^st as mentioned above.

After the Town of Dedham sets its tax rate, the Assessors make the actual tax commitment and the Collector mails actual tax bills for the year. The 3^rd Quarter actual tax bills will have the new valuation set by the Assessors and approved by the Department of Revenue as well as the new set tax rate approved by our local Select Board. 

Your actual tax is calculated by taking the new assessment valuation per thousand multiplied by the new tax rate. The actual tax due is the balance after the first and second preliminary tax installments are credited against the total tax due.  The actual tax is payable in two equal installments; due on February 1^st and May 1^st as mentioned above.

If you have questions about your property tax bill or how it is calculated, please give us a call at 781-751-9130 or stop by our counter at Town Hall, 2^nd Floor. Check out our Hours page for all Town Department business hours.