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As a taxpayer, you may have questions about your taxes and how they are determined. The information below is provided to answer some of those questions. More detailed information concerning specific assessment and tax questions can be obtained by contacting the Tax Collector at 974-1885, ext. 6, or the Assessor at 974-1291 or 974-1885, ext. 7.

Q. What Types of property are subject to local property taxes?

• Real Estate: All real property listed on the current grant list.
• Personal Property: Equipment owned by industry, commercial furniture and fixtures, unregistered motor vehicles, campers and horses.
• Motor Vehicles: All motor vehicles registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles. These vehicles are coded by tax town and the Assessor is provided a list of registered vehicles annually by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

   

   

• Personal Property, other than registered motor vehicles, is assessed at 70% of its value, as determined by use of straight line depreciation, as of "October 1, 2005.
• Real Property is assessed at %70 of its value as of October 1, 2002, the date of the last revaluation.
• Registered motor vehicles are required to be assessed at 70% of the average retail value, using NADA cost guides.

Q. What if I receive a tax bill for a vehicle I no longer own or have registered in another state?

The motor vehicle tax bill you receive in July 2006, is based upon the registration of that vehicle as of October 1, 2005. With the proper proof, your motor vehicle bill may be deleted if prior to October 1, 2005 or pro-rated if between October 1, 2005 and August 31, 2006 your motor vehicle was sold, destroyed, stolen or registered out of state and NOT REPLACED with another vehicle using the same license plate.

In order to make an adjustment you must provide two forms of proof to the Assessor. In addition to a plate receipt from DMV, one of the following forms of proof may be used.

1. Copy of bill of sale
2. Copy of title transfer
3. Out of state registration
4. Insurance company statement no longer insured
5. Junked vehicle receipt
6. Copy of purchase agreement if traded in

If you still have the vehicle, it is still taxable. You are required by state statute to claim this as an unregistered vehicle on the personal property form that can be obtained in the Assessor's Office.

Q. What if I got a new vehicle and used the same plate?

If you took the plate from one vehicle and put it on another vehicle, you do not have to do anything. The billing will follow that plate. If you did this after October 1, 2005, the bill that you receive in July 2006 will be on the old motor vehicle, and next January you will receive a pro-rated tax bill on the new motor vehicle, with a pro-rated credit from the old motor vehicle applied to the new motor vehicle.

Q. What if I have license plates that I am no longer using or have lost?

Any plates that are not being used should be returned to the Motor Vehicle Department as soon as possible. If the plates are not returned they keep them active for two or more years and send us the listing, creating another tax bill. If you cannot find the plates or they are vanity plates that you want to keep, write to the DMV and list them as being lost.

Q. What if I no longer live in Eastford, but still live in Connecticut and I receive a motor vehicle tax bill from Eastford?

You pay the July, 2006 motor vehicle tax bill to the town you were residing in on October 1, 2005. If you did not change your address with the DMV please do so as soon as possible. (Forms are available in the tax office.) The DMV sends your motor vehicle listing to the town that is on the address of your registration, as of October 1, 2005. IF the address is wrong, it will go to the wrong town and have to be transferred. We do not pro-rate between towns.

Q. What if I feel my property assessment is not accurate?

If you think your property assessment is not accurate, you have the right to request the Assessor to review it. You also have the right to appeal your assessment to the Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA). The BAA meets in March. You must notify the BAA in writing by March 30, 2006 that you intend to appeal. Forms for this purpose are available from the Assessor's "Office. The BAA also meets in September for motor vehicle appeals only.

Q. Could I be eligible for any exemptions?

You may be eligible for one or more of the following exemptions:

• Veterans having served during a time of conflict.
• Spouse of a deceased veteran.
• Blind.
• M.V. of active duty serviceperson stationed out of state
• Forest/Farm/"Open Space.

Q. Are there any tax relief programs for senior citizens or for people on social security disability?

If you or your spouse are 65 years of age or older, or disabled and live in your own home, you may be eligible for a tax credit through the elderly/disabled low income homeowners program (Circuit Breaker Program). You must apply by May 15th to qualify for this benefit on your July bill. Homeowners can get more information on this program by contacting the Assessor's Office at 974-1291 extension 7. Further information is also available below.

Q. How is the tax rate established?

In May of each year, the budget is voted on by the taxpayers at the Annual Town Meeting. If passed, the mill rate is set immediately following the meeting. The property tax rate is expressed in mills or thousandths of a dollar. This year's tax rate (mill rate) 31.3 (this will change in May) is equal; to $31.30 per $1,000 of net assessed value.

Q. When is my payment considered late? Payments due July 1, 2006 must be received or postmarked by August 1, 2006. Payments due January 1, 2007 must be received or postmarked by February 2, 2007. By state statute, failure to receive a tax bill does not exempt you from paying taxes or interest payments. If you do not receive a tax bill, contact the tax collector's office to find out why.

Q. How is interest figured?

If not paid by the August or February deadline, interest is charged at 1 1/2% per month from July 1st and January 1st respectively, with a minimum of $2.00 per bill. Example: To figure interest due-payment made in August use 3% / September use 4 1/2% / October use 6% etc.

Real estate and personal property tax bill with two payments are only mailed in July.

The real estate and personal property tax bills have two payment slips attached if over $100.00. One is for July payment and one is for the January payment. Notices are put in the papers to remind you that the January payment is coming due. Make a note on the calendar also. If you purchase real estate after July and did not get a bill for the new property at the closing, please call for a copy of the bill for the January payment. No real estate or personal property bills are mailed in January.

Tax Payment Information needed for federal and state income tax.

From January to April 15th each year, we get as many as 15-20 calls a day wanting information as to how much and when tax payments were made. Please try to keep those records available for your own information. If you really can't find the information needed, please submit the request in writing, with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Real estate taxes held in escrow by your bank or finance organization.

IF your bank is holding escrow to pay your taxes, you may not receive a real estate tax bill. Many banks request the bills sent directly from our office. If you have escrow and receive a real estate bill, please forward it on to your bank for payment.

State Aid

The 2003-2004 budget for the Town of Eastford estimates $1,393,135 will be received from the State of Connecticut and various state financed programs. Without this assistance, your 2003/2004 tax bill would have been billed at 44.2 mills.