How do I find information on Motor Vehicle, Real Estate and General Tax Questions?
General Tax Questions
Where is the Tax Collector’s Office and what are the hours?
How is the tax (mill rate) established?
What do I own that is subject to taxation?
When should I receive my tax bill and when is it due?
What if I never received a bill?
What is the best way to pay my tax bill?
Do you accept credit card payments?
Real Estate Questions
What if I no longer own the real estate?
What if I recently bought or sold a house in Town?
What happens when new construction is completed?
Motor Vehicle Questions
What should I do if I am being improperly billed for a motor vehicle?
What time period does my motor vehicle bill cover?
Why is the information incorrect on my bill?
What happens if I no longer own a vehicle or have moved out of state?
What happens if I receive a bill for a vehicle that I no longer own, but I transferred the plate?
What is a Supplemental Motor Vehicle Tax?
What if I need to register a vehicle and I have outstanding taxes?
When does Jeopardy (future) Collection begin?
Why did I receive an Alias Tax Warrant?
I’m making Partial Payments, why did I get an Alias Tax Warrant or Jeopardy collection?
What if I didn’t pay my MV taxes on time?
How does the Department of Motor Vehicle know that I owe taxes to East Hartford?
Q: Where is the Tax Collector’s Office and what are the hours?
A: The Tax Office is temporarily located on bottom floor of the Community Cultural Center. 50 Chapman Pl, East Hartford, CT 06108. The Tax Office will be closed to the public during this time while Town Hall is being renovated. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm. Closed on all Federal Holidays.
A: State law requires that properties be valued at their "present and true actual value", which means fair market value. The primary purpose of revaluation is to provide equalization of all property types and classes. The revaluation process is not intended to increase revenue, but rather, to keep the fair market value current, to insure that properties, which have changed in value, are equitably assessed. New construction completed after October 1, is added to the prior Grand List and is prorated from the date a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Standard price guides are used in determining the value of your motor vehicles. Owners of taxable personal property are required to annually file a declaration by November 1 with the Assessor's office of all owned or leased property. Failure to return a properly completed declaration will result in the Assessor valuing the property and adding a 25% assessment penalty.
Q: How is the tax (mill rate) established?
A: The Grand Levy is the amount of revenue in the Annual Town Budget, which must be raised by the property tax. The balance required is received from fees, state and federal assistance and miscellaneous revenue. The Grand List is a listing of all taxable properties located within the Town on October 1, of the grand list year. The property tax rate is expressed in mills or thousandths of a dollar. A tax rate (mill rate) of 45.40 mills is equivalent to $45.40 of taxes per $1,000 of assessed value. The tax rate is determined by dividing the Grand Levy by the Grand List.
Taxes are computed by multiplying the net assessment (70% of the fair market value) of your property as of October 1 by the current mill rate. (See example.)
Assessment x Mill Rate = Tax Bill
Example: $150,000 X .04540 = $6,810.00
(Assessment x Mill rate = Tax bill)
Any questions on your property assessment should be directed to the Tax Assessor's Office (860) 291-7260
Q: What do I own that is subject to taxation?
A: Three types of property are subject to taxation:
Real Estate: Any land or buildings are considered real estate.
Motor Vehicle: Registered motorized or non-motorized vehicles, (including cars, trucks, trailers and motorcycles) are considered motor vehicles for tax purposes. Unregistered motor vehicles are also taxed as personal property.
Personal Property: Personal property is a general category including business equipment, machinery, furniture and fixtures either owned or leased by business. Personal Property is assessed for the October 1 grand list and taxes are not pro-rated if a business closes or is sold.
Q: When should I receive my tax bill and when is it due?
A: Property tax bills are sent out in June of each year and Supplemental Motor Vehicle bills are sent in December. Each Regular tax bill totaling $400 or less is due in a single installment on July 1. Tax bills greater than $400 are due in semi-annual installments on July 1, and January 1. All Supplemental MV bills are due in a single installment on January 1.
Q: What if I never received a bill?
A: Connecticut General Statue 12-130 states.….“failure to receive a bill does not invalidate the tax….” If you fail to receive your tax bill, please contact the tax office (860) 291-7250. Failure to receive a tax bill does not exempt taxes or interest. You are responsible for obtaining your tax bill and paying the taxes on time. Payment must be made by the due date, whether or not you receive a bill.
A: Yes, save them for 15 years, which is the length of time municipal taxes are collectible. Receipts are issued for all payments made in person at the Tax Collector’s Office. You must retain your receipts for the purpose of claiming tax credits and filling federal and state income taxes. Request for payment history will be provided for $0.50 a page.
Q: What is the best way to pay my tax bill?
A: Send your payment through the US Post Office. Include your check, money order, or cashiers check along with your payment stub identifying what tax bills you are paying. If you would like a receipt, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope and we will be happy to send you one. If you choose to pay in person, please have your payment and remittance stub readily available. We also accept payment by credit card (see below). Do not send cash through the mail. There is a $20 fee for returned checks.
Q: Do you accept credit card payments?
A: Yes, either on-line or in person, using any of the following cards: Discover, MasterCard, Visa, and debit card in person. Additionally American Express and EFT are accepted online. The payment processing service, charges a convenience fee of 2.99% online and 2.65% in person based on the amount of the transaction when paying by credit or debit card or a $0.90 flat fee when paying EFT
Q: What if I no longer own the real estate?
A: Please notify us immediately if you receive a bill for property that has been transferred to another owner.
A: If you escrow for taxes, please verify with your bank that they plan to pay your taxes. Most banks and mortgage companies do escrow for taxes, however not all of them do. Either way, please follow up with your bank or mortgage company. We send your bank / mortgage company your taxes, upon their request. If you no longer escrow, and do not receive a bill, please call us immediately for a copy of your bill; if you receive a bill for which you believe is escrowed, contact your mortgage company.
Q: What if I recently bought or sold a house in Town?
A: If you have not received a real estate tax bill for your new property, notify us immediately to request a copy of the bill. Payment must be made by the due date, whether or not you receive a bill. If you receive a bill for property that has been transferred to another owner, please notify us. Check with the Assessor’s Office to ensure their records have been updated.
Q: What happens when new construction is completed?
A: When construction has been completed on a piece of property and you already paid on the Real Estate Bill, you will most likely receive another bill, reflective of your Certificate of Occupancy – CO.
Q: What should I do if I am being improperly billed for a motor vehicle?
A: Contact the Assessor’s Office at (860) 291-7260. Do Not Ignore your bill.
If any of the following applies to you, you may be entitled to a credit:
- Vehicle was sold and plates returned to DMV
- Stolen and not recovered
- Repossessed
- Accident, declared a total loss
- If you moved – vehicle registered in a different state
Application for adjustments should be made immediately since there is a statutory time limit on motor vehicle adjustments. You will also need to provide necessary proof to the Assessor’s Office in order for any bill to be adjusted or removed.
Q: What time period does my motor vehicle bill cover?
A: October 1 through September 1 of any given year.
Q: Why is the information incorrect on my bill?
A: All information related to your motor vehicle taxes is based on how the vehicle was registered as of October 1. If there have been any changes after October 1, they may not appear on the bill.
Q: What happens if I have moved?
A: You must notify DMV. You must change your address on your REGISTRATION not just your license. You will be taxed from the municipality in which you were living as of October 1.
Q: What happens if I no longer own a vehicle or have moved out of state?
A: You may be entitled to a tax credit. Never ignore a tax bill. You should contact the Assessor’s Office where you must provide necessary documentation. (860) 291-7260.
Q: What happens if I receive a bill for a vehicle that I no longer own, but I transferred the plate?
A: You must pay the entire bill; You will receive a credit from your old vehicle to your new, on your Supplemental Motor Vehicle bill. Never ignore a tax bill.
Q: What is a Supplemental Motor Vehicle Tax?
A: Vehicles registered between October 2 and July 31. The assessed value is prorated based upon the month of registration. Supplemental bills are due in one installment on January 1.
Q: What if I need to register a vehicle and I have outstanding taxes?
(I need a motor vehicle tax Clearance)
*Also see Alias Tax Warrants
A: All past due (and possibly future) motor vehicle taxes in your name must be paid in full, otherwise you will not be able to register at the Department of Motor Vehicles (CGS 12-33 Renewal of registration denied for failure to pay motor vehicle tax or fines for parking violations.)
Payments for motor vehicle Clearance
Cash, cashier’s check, money orders and in-person credit or debit = Immediate Clearance
Personal Checks, and online credit or debit = Must wait 10 business days or proof that the money has been taken from your account
Q: When does Jeopardy (future) Collection begin?
(CGS 12-163 – Jeopardy Collection)
A: Jeopardy collection will commence when bills become delinquent and motor vehicle clearance is required. This means, you will be responsible for paying your 1st or 2nd installment(s) or Supplemental motor vehicle bill(s) prior to the “actual” due date as outlined on the original bill.
Q: Why did I receive an Alias Tax Warrant?
A: Alias Tax Warrants – (CGS 12-162 Alias Tax Warrant) When motor vehicle taxes have become delinquent, there is a possibility that your bills will be turned over to a sheriff or constable for collection. Once an Alias Tax Warrant has been served, the collection process for those bills are handled only by the person who served the warrant; meaning the Tax Collectors Office will not accept payments on any bill which appears on warrant. The Sheriff or Constable is entitled to a 15% fee based on the amount due and reasonable and necessary costs for the collection services which will be paid first by the taxpayer. Once a warrant has been satisfied or paid in full, the tax payer will then present the Tax Office with a pink receipt stating as such in order to receive clearance, provided there are no other outstanding tax obligations.
A: A constable is an elected official of the Town. Click here to view the names of constables in East Hartford. They have the power to serve and execute lawful process in East Hartford (CGS Ch.95 Sec. 7-89) and to collect taxes due the Town for which a proper warrant has been issued.
Q: I’m making Partial Payments, why did I get an Alias Tax Warrant or Jeopardy collection?
A: Because you are making payments at any frequency towards your bill(s) DOES NOT STOP the collection process. This means you may receive an Alias Tax Warrant, you may have to pay Jeopardy (future owed taxes) and you may be denied motor vehicle clearance until delinquencies are cleared.
Q: What if I didn’t pay my MV taxes on time? (CGS 12-155 – Demand and levy for the collection of taxes)
A: Once a Delinquent Tax Demand notice has been issued and if not complied with by the specific dates given, the next course of action continues in the collection process. This means you may receive an Alias Tax Warrant or you maybe required to pay Jeopardy or any other method of law collection.
Q: How does the Department of Motor Vehicle know that I owe taxes to East Hartford?
A: If you have delinquent motor vehicle taxes, your name has been reported to DMV by the Tax Collector’s Department. DMV requires clearance from the Town which taxes are owed, in order to register a vehicle.