Springfield owed million in taxes

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Springfield is owed all this money, but they can’t get their hands on it.

With local aid slashed to cities and towns, city halls across the Commonwealth have been forced to make some difficult cuts.

Those cuts could be less painful, if the businesses and homeowners stayed on top of their taxes.

Here's a breakdown on how much money Springfield is trying to collect: $29 million in real estate taxes, another $10 million in personal property taxes, and $6 million in excise taxes. It seems like a lot, but the city's Treasurer says their rate of collection is actually high.

Bokul Bhuiya, Springfield Treasurer, said, "The rate has gone up, if you look at the last four years. Personal property taxes have gone up to 98 percent, which is extraordinary."

One Springfield resident, who was at city hall Thursday, paid his 2009 property taxes. He had to write a check for $20,000. He paid $1,200 in penalties and fees.

Fitzroy Brown says it's unfortunate he has to pay extra for his delinquent bills, but if you don't have the money, you can't pay city hall. "I can't talk for anyone but the money and comes and goes so when you do get it that is when you can pay it," said Brown.