Tax Collector Duties

Job Summary

The position of Tax Collectors in the Town of Sanbornton is an elected position therefore must live in Sanbornton.
The Tax Collector appoints the Deputy subject to approval of the Selectmen. The Deputy, by law, does not have to live in Town but a Deputy Town Clerk Tax Collector must.
The responsibilities are many and varied and are governed by State of New Hampshire RSA’s and Administrative Rules. They also require direct interaction with the Board of Selectmen’s Office.

Supervision Received

Tax Collectors are governed by the following State Agencies:

  • NH Department of Revenue Administration

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

The following is a partial list of specific job duties that are performed on a regular basis (in no particular format of
importance):

  • Work closely with tax payer answering questions, providing information.
  • Process all payments as they are received.
  • Balance cash and all accounts collected daily, depositing the same.
  • Balance with the Town Treasurer and Financial Director monthly.
  • Prepare year end report, MS61 and submit NH DRA.
  • Prepare year end report for Town to be included in the Town Report along with MS61.
  • Process and mail property tax bills, current use, yield tax, excavation, sewer liens, supplemental warrants and betterments as instructed by the Board of Selectmen...
  • Prepare and mail delinquent notices for property taxes, current use, yield tax, excavation, sewer liens, supplemental warrants and betterments. Notice includes all prior year’ liens.
  • Coordinate and prepare all remaining unpaid accounts for impending lien notices to be mailed via certified mail. If the accounts are not paid by the due date, a tax lien is executed against the property, with a copy sent to the Registry of Deeds to be recorded. When the tax lien is paid in full, a redemption report is mailed to the Registry of Deeds so the lien can be released.
  • Prepare deeding notices for tax lien accounts that are approaching the due date. These are sent via certified mail. The property is deeded to the Town for non-payment of tax liens; deeds sent to the Registry of Deeds for recording.
  • Work closely with the Board of Selectmen, Town Administrator offices for instructions on how they would like my office to proceed.
  • Hire a subcontractor to research owners of impending liens and mortgagees for notification of impending tax deed.
  • Daily telephone calls from banks, mortgage companies, attorneys, real estate offices and the general public requesting tax information pay off figures and other information.
  • Prepare paperwork on bankruptcies filing with the Court also keeping an accurate record of outstanding taxes due.
  • Research old records for attorney’s offices, property owners regarding property liens, etc.
  • Accepts prepayments
  • Refund overpayments
  • Maintain accurate records/files.
  • Pursue collection of returned checks.
  • Accounts of the Tax Collectors are audited on a regular schedule, determined by the state agency themselves also by the Town’s Auditors yearly

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

The State of New Hampshire provides many workshops during the course of the year in order to keep Tax Collectors up-to-date with the ever-changing requirements of Local, State and Federal Agencies. Most are mandatory in order to maintain certification. Some are a result of new government programs. In addition to these workshops, the New Hampshire Tax Collectors Association provide and collectors with annual training opportunities including but not limited to workshops, conferences and a three year certification program, networking opportunities as well as informational release through newsletters and minutes of association board meetings.