Valuation and assessment of real and personal property, including motor vehicles, is the main function of the Assessor’s office. Connecticut law requires that all real estate, motor vehicles and certain types of personal property be assessed at 70% of fair market value. The Assessor has the responsibility to discover, list and value all taxable and non-taxable property in order to compile the Grand List by the statutory date of January 31st. The primary objective of this assessment department is that each property owner bears the appropriate
share of the tax burden.
In accordance with Connecticut General Statutes, real estate Revaluations are completed every five (5) years. The next scheduled Revaluation is October 1, 2012. Motor vehicles and personal property are revalued annually, as allowed by State Statute.
On the October 1, 2010 Grand List, the Town has approximately 5,374 real estate accounts, 1,192 personal property accounts (including 32 accounts with property tax exemption for newly acquired manufacturing machinery and equipment) and 12, 366 motor vehicle accounts.
State and local exemptions for veterans, blind and disabled individuals are processed by this Department along with tax relief for the elderly, totally disabled and homeowners. Homeowners apply biennially February 1st to May 15th. Income benefit guidelines, set by the State, must be met in order to qualify for benefits. The Town had 1 Freeze applicant and 158 Elderly and/or Disabled Homeowner applicants for which all benefits are reimbursed to the Town by the State.
Taxpayers applying for relief under classifications of Farm or Forest under Public Act 490 must file during September and October.
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