Notwithstanding section 57C of chapter 59 of the General Laws, for fiscal year 2010, an actual tax bill issued upon the establishment of the tax rate for the fiscal year, after credit is given for any preliminary tax payments previously made, shall be due and payable in 2 installments in the case of cities and towns with quarterly payments and 1 installment in the case of cities and towns with semi-annual payments.  For cities and towns with quarterly payments, the first installment shall be due and payable on February 1, 2010, or 30 days after the actual real estate tax bills are mailed, whichever is later, and the second installment shall be due and payable on May 1, 2010, after which dates, if unpaid, they shall become delinquent.  For cities and towns with semi-annual payments, the installment shall be due and payable on April 1, 2010, after which date, if unpaid, it shall become delinquent.

If the actual tax bills issued in fiscal year 2010 shall not be mailed by January 30, 2010, then, upon the establishment of the tax rate, there shall be a single actual tax bill due and payable on May 1, 2010 or 30 days after the date of mailing, whichever is later. That tax bill shall represent the full balance owed after credit is given for the preliminary tax payments previously made.

This section shall apply to a city or town that accepts it by vote of its city or town council, subject to its municipal charter, or its board of selectmen.