DOR Annual Reporting Requirements
Massachusetts Department of RevenueDivision of Local Services
Navjeet K. Bal, Commissioner Robert G. Nunes, Deputy Commissioner & Director of Municipal Affairs
Bulletin
2008-08B
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
TO: Assessors, Accountants/Auditors and Community Preservation Committees
FROM: Robert G. Nunes, Deputy Commissioner & Director of Municipal Affairs
DATE: August 2008
SUBJECT: Annual Reporting Requirements (CP Forms)
_________________________________________________________________________________
This Bulletin explains important changes in the annual reporting requirements that apply to
cities and towns that have accepted the Community Preservation Act (CPA).
ANNUAL REPORTS
Community preservation communities are required to submit three reports each year. As
detailed in Section VII of Informational Guideline Release 00-209, Community Preservation Fund,
these reports are:
”
A“Community Preservation Surcharge Report(Form CP-1) that contains the
information needed to distribute the state matching funds to the community.This report
is submitted to the Municipal Data Management/Technical Assistance Bureau.
A“Community Preservation Fund Report” (Form CP-2) that details fund activity of the
previous fiscal year and fund balances as of 6/30. This report is submitted to the Bureau
of Accounts.
A“Community Preservation Initiatives Report” (Form CP-3) that details community
preservation projects of the previous fiscal year. This report is submitted to the
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA).
The Division of Local Services is responsible for oversight of and assistance to cities and towns in achieving equitable property taxation and efficient fiscal management. The Division
regularly publishes IGRs (Informational Guideline Releases detailing legal and administrative procedures) and the Bulletin (announcements and useful information) for local officials
and
others interested in municipal finance.
Post Office Box 9569, Boston, MA 02114-9569, Tel: 617-626-2300; Fax: 617-626-2330 http://www.dls.state.ma.us
-2-
REPORT SCHEDULES
both
Beginning in 2008, the Community Preservation Surcharge Report (CP-1) and
must be submitted by September 15 each
Community Preservation Initiatives Report (CP-3)
year
in order for a community to receive a trust fund distribution by October 15.
REPORT CONTENT AND FORMAT
The attached chart summarizes the changes made in the content and format of the
reports that take effect for 2008.
Both reports submitted to Division of Local Services Bureaus have been revised to
improve reporting and accommodate online reporting in the DLS Gateway system. The
Community Preservation Surcharge Report (CP-1) now includes a separate line to report prior
year abatements and exemptions. The Community Preservation Fund Report (CP-2) was
streamlined, particularly with respect to reporting of fund balance details. Last month, the
Bureau of Accounts provided accounting officers with the revised CP-2 report and instructions
for completing it as part of the annual Year End Letters. CP-1 and CP2 reports should be
submitted online through DLS Gateway, but paper reports will be accepted. The hard copy
forms can be found on the DLS website and the chart contains links to their locations.
The EOEEA revised the Community Preservation Initiatives Report (CP-3) in order to
obtain more detailed information about the uses of community preservation fund monies
throughout the state. CP-3 reports must now be submitted to EOEEA using a new online
reporting system. The system and instructions can be accessed through the DLS website and a
link is provided in the chart.
QUESTIONS
If you have questions about completing the CP-1, using the EOEEA CP-3 online
application, or using DLS Gateway generally, including password issues, please contact the
Municipal Databank at (617) 626-2384 or databank@dor.state.ma.us.
If you have questions about the information to be reported in the revised CP-2, please
contact your Bureau of Accounts Representative.