A religious charity in Springfield is trying to pay off an unexpected $150,000 tax bill.

The Springfield Rescue Mission moved into a former car dealership last year as part of a deal with MGM, which took over the group’s previous location for its casino project.

Board chair Robert Blakeslee says the rescue mission had no idea — until it moved into the building — that a non-profit would be responsible for the one-time property transfer tax.

“We don’t think it’s a fair thing, and maybe we’re biased in that regard,” he says, “but it kind of boggles the mind.”

Blakeslee says the building was valued at $6 million after being renovated by MGM, which also paid taxes on the deal.

Blakeslee says the rescue mission has paid $44 thousand, and still owes $106,000 by May 1, unless the city agrees to lower the amount.

In response to a request for comment, Mayor Domenic Sarno’s office had the city assessor, Richie Allen, send over a statement:

The owner of 10 Mill Street on July 1,2015, the date for determining whether a property qualified for exemption from FY 2016 taxes, was Blue Tarp Redevelopment LLC. Blue Tarp paid $2.3 million to acquire 10 Mill Street in December 2014, and subsequently spent millions in renovating and expanding the building. Blue Tarp then transferred the property to the Springfield Rescue Mission on October 30, 2015. The assessors established an assessed value of $6,181,700 for 10 Mill Street based on the purchase price and renovation and construction costs. The City issued the tax bill in late December.